To make expressive movements of the hands and arms while speaking, especially to help convey meaning or emotion.
From Latin 'gesticulari', derived from 'gesticulus' (a small gesture), which comes from 'gestus' (gesture). The meaning has remained consistent since Roman times—making small, expressive movements.
People gesticulate more when they're excited, emotional, or trying to explain something complicated—it's why we wave our hands when describing the 'one that got away'!
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