A gesture made by moving the head side to side, typically to express disagreement, disapproval, or confusion.
From 'head' (the upper part of the body) and 'shake' (to move rapidly, from Old English 'scacan'). This compound reflects common body language.
The headshake is nearly universal across cultures as meaning 'no,' yet it actually means 'yes' in Greece, Bulgaria, and parts of India—a fascinating reminder that even our most basic gestures are culturally coded.
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