gesticulation

plural gesticulations

1. countableuncountableThe act of gesticulating, or making gestures to aid expression of thoughts, sentiments or passion.
2. countableuncountableA gesture; a motion of the body or limbs when speaking, or in representing action or passion, and enforcing arguments and sentiments.

   In the eagerness of his gesticulations, first he knocked off my hat, then he knocked off Lessingham’s, then his own, then all three together […]

   1897, Richard Marsh, The Beetle

   2 more examples

   It is commonly supposed that they communicated by sounds and tentacular gesticulations; this is asserted, for instance, in the able but hastily compiled pamphlet (written evidently by someone not an eye-witness of Martian actions) to which I have already alluded, and which, so far, has been the chief source of information concerning them.

   1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann

   The breeze had died away and the tree was now quite motionless save when William's statements required forcible gesticulations, which made it sway in a gentle nodding manner as though it were confirming every word the old sage uttered.

   1929, Robert Dean Frisbee, The Book of Puka-Puka, Eland, published 2019, page 193

3. countabledateduncountableAn odd or fanciful motion.

   1 more example

   I indulged in this meditation for a moment, and then again addressed the mourner, who stood leaning against the bed with that expression of resigned despair, of complete misery, and a patient sufferance of it, which is far more touching than any of the insane ravings or wild gesticulation of untamed sorrow.

   1826, [Mary Shelley], chapter IV, in The Last Man. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 115