gestn.1
/dʒɛst/, U.S. /dʒɛst/ 1.
a. plural. Notable deeds or actions, exploits (later also singular, a deed, exploit); esp. the deeds of a person or people as narrated or recorded, history. Obsolete exc. archaic.There seems to be no certain example in Middle English of the singular gest = an action. In the passages quoted by Mätzner from the Destruction of Troy (620, 3286) the alliteration proves that the g is hard, and the words are really gift (gyfte misread as gyste) and guest.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > [noun]
workingOE
deedc1000
makinglOE
gestsa1340
doing1372
makea1400
workmanshipc1400
faction1447
action1483
performancec1487
performation1504
performent1527
fact1548
practice1553
agitation1573
practisy1573
function1578
affair1598
acture1609
perpetrationa1631
employing1707
the mind > emotion > courage > valour > deed of valour > [noun]
deedOE
jeopardya1300
prowessc1300
gestsa1340
jesta1400
facta1525
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xlvii. 12 That ȝe tell..til all þat will here þe gestis of halymen.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2780 Þe hert..fayn was a-way to fle for fere of mo gestes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 123 (MED) I sal..tell sum gestes principale; For all may na man haue in talle.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 40 Hit is conteyned in the gestis of Athenes that there was an holy hermite.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. lxxvi. f. xxixv Turpinus that wrote the Gestes of the great Charles saythe that..he made all the bonde men..fre.
1534 R. Whittington tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Tullyes Offyces i. sig. E.4 The noble iestes at whome by policy be not inferyor to the valyaunt actes in warre.
1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Seuen First Bks. Eneidos i. sig. B.iij He seeth among them all the iestes of Troy, and stories all And wars.
1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in Complaints 978 Fond Ape..into whose brest Never crept thought of honor, nor brave gest.
a1656 J. Ussher Ann. World (1658) vi. 121 [Diodorus] hudling together the gests of 2 years into one [etc.].
1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting I. i. 20 He had..rather employ master William and Edward of Westminster to paint the gestes of the Kings of Antioch.
1816 Monthly Mag. 42 326 He also wrote De Re Navali, and a poem on his father's gests.
1834 H. Taylor Philip van Artevelde 2nd Pt. v. iii I..put to sea, Errant for geste and enterprise of wit.
1839 E. B. Barrett in Athenæum 26 Jan. 69/1 When knightly gestes and courtly pageantries Were broken in her visionary eyes.
1876 W. Besant & J. Rice Golden Butterfly III. vii. 126 Her bosom heaved when she heard of heroic gest.
b. In general sense: Action, performance. rare.
ΚΠ
c1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 857 Now have y shewyd yow, my son, somewhat of dyuerse Iestis þat ar remembred in lordes courte þere as all rialte restis.
2. A story or romance in verse: also simply (in later use), a story, tale. in gest = in verse, in the manner of a metrical romance. the English gest, the French gest: metrical chronicles of England, of France. Obsolete exc. Historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > lineage or descent > [noun]
kinc892
strindc900
i-cundeOE
bloodOE
kindredOE
birtha1250
strainc1275
gesta1300
offspring?a1300
lineagea1330
descentc1330
linec1330
progenya1382
generationc1384
engendrurec1390
ancestry?a1400
genealogya1400
kind?a1400
stranda1400
coming?a1425
bedc1430
descencec1443
descension1447
ligneea1450
originc1450
family1474
originala1475
extraction1477
nativityc1485
parentelea1492
stirpc1503
stem?c1550
race1563
parentage1565
brood1590
ancientry1596
descendance1599
breeding1600
descendancy1603
delineation1606
extract1631
ancestory1650
agnation1782
havage1799
engendure1867
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > poem or piece of poetry > narrative poem > [noun] > verse romance
yeddingc950
gesta1300
jesta1300
romancec1330
romaunt1530
roman d'aventure1868
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > types of narrative or story generally > [noun] > story of exploits
gesta1300
jesta1300
saga1857
a1300 K. Horn 522 Murie was þe feste Al of faire gestes.
a1300 Havelok 2328 Þer mouthe men se..Romanz reding on þe bok; Þer mouthe men here þe gestes singe.
13.. Octavian 279 (MS. Ff. ii. 38, lf. 84) In yeste as we rede.
13.. Sir Beues 3693 (MS. Ff. lf. 121 b) Now begynnyth a yeste ageyn Of King Quore & Armyn.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 38 After þe Bretons þe Inglis camen, þe lordschip of þis land þai namen..þat calle men now þe Inglis gest.
c1386 G. Chaucer Melibeus Prol. 15 Lat se wher thou kanst tellen aught in geeste Or telle in prose somwhat at the leeste.
a1400 K. Alis. 30 Now pais holdith..And ye schole here a noble jeste, Of Alisaundre, theo riche kyng.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xx. 220 Mynstrelles, that syngen Songes and tellen Gestes.
14.. Sir Beues (MS. N) 4313 + 245 Men tellith bothe in gest & ryme, Thei were leide in maner of shryne.
c1440 Partonope 405 Thus tellyth now the french geest.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccxxxviii. f. clxi The Bonys of Kynge Arture & his wyfe Gueynour..were founden by a synger of gestys.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 140 Ay is the ouirword of the geist: Giff thame the pelffe to pairt amang thame.
1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vii. f. 95 Duke Cephal weeping told this tale to Phocus and the rest Whose eyes were also moyst with teares to heare the pitious gest.
1587 R. Holinshed et al. Hist. Eng. (new ed.) iv. xxxij. 69/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) I The tales of Robin Hood, or the gests [1577 iestes] written by Ariost the Italian in his booke intituled Orlando furioso.
1829 P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. II. iii. 372 We know..that there were gests and historic ballads written upon the story of Wallace.
1858 J. Doran Hist. Court Fools 89 The harper probably only accompanied the reciter of the Gest.
a. A satirical utterance, lampoon. Obsolete with this spelling: for examples of the later use (16–19th centuries) see jest n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > caustic or ironic ridicule > [noun] > instance of
gesta1387
quippy1519
quip1532
irony1534
nip1549
taunta1566
slent?1567
gamegall1577
yark1577
veny1586
jerk1590
wipe1596
glance1602
satire1606
by-wipe1641
quib1656
trait1704
skit1727
slant1825
ironism1842
wiper1846
by-quip1855
satirization1868
snapper1890
crack1896
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > wit with words > satire > [noun] > instance of
gesta1387
gamegall1577
glance1602
satire1606
skit1727
satirization1868
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 229 Cithero made gestes in blame of Salustius [L. invectiones].
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 93 Fy on fortoun, fy on thi frewall quehyll..His plesance her till him was bot a gest.
b. An idle tale. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 315 Þere [i.e. in Sicily] was commedya, song of gestes, firste i-founde.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† gestn.2
Obsolete. rare.
Race, kind, family; company.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > ethnicities > race > [noun]
strindc900
bloodOE
gest13..
strainc1330
nationa1382
kindc1390
markc1395
prosapy?a1475
stock1549
stem?c1550
caste1555
spring1597
race1612
issue1620
nationality1832
13.. K. Alis. 6413 Ther byside, on the north-est, Buth men off selcouthe gest.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 8917 Þen dide þe kyng make somons Of bischopes, erles, & barons, & oþer lordes of þe nobleste [v.r. folk of noble geste].
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 315 Þei & all þer geste þat dome salle doute & rew.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
gestn.3
/dʒɛst/, U.S. /dʒɛst/ Obsolete exc. archaic.
1. Bearing, carriage, mien.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > [noun] > manner of carrying body
bearinga1325
gesturec1410
gest1509
shapea1577
sitting1583
carriage1595
comportment1605
deportment1638
poise1771
set-up1889
tenue1892
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. xxx Ye folys..Of yll behauoure gest and countenaunce.
?1556 (a1500) Knight of Curtesy (Copland) sig. B.iiiiv He went..With wofull mone and sory Jest.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. viii. sig. Kk2v Him needed not instruct..How to speake, ne how to vse his gest.
1844 E. B. Browning Vision of Poets xcv Look and geste Of buried saint, in risen rest.
1890 Cornhill Mag. June 638 You eat and drink with mincing geste.
2. A movement of a limb; an action, gesture.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > bodily movement > [noun] > a bodily movement
motiona1398
gesta1521
gesture1551
motioning1843
a1521 Helyas in W. J. Thoms Early Eng. Prose Romances (1858) III. 65 Well manered in all his gestes.
1534 R. Whittington tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Tullyes Offyces i. sig. H.3 Some iestes [L. gestus] of players be not without follyes.
1683 D. A. Whole Art Converse 6 That outward and proud Behaviour either in Gests or Speech.
1717 S. Garth in J. Dryden et al. tr. Ovid Metamorphoses xiv. 496 Appulus..The bold Buffoon..Their Motion mimicks, but with Gests obscene.
1781 J. O. Justamond tr. B.-F.-J. Mouffle d'Angerville Private Life Lewis XV IV. 181 Count Lally, whom the Chancellor pointed out by a gest [Fr. d'un geste] to the King.
1838 E. B. Barrett Romaunt of Page in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 683/2 Had the knight looked back to the page's geste, I ween he had turned anon.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† gestn.4
Obsolete. figurative and in extended use.1596 J. Norden (title) A Progresse of Pietie, whose Jesses lead into the Harborough of heavenly Hearts-ease.a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) Sol. vii. 37 Let..salvage brutes trade there, and lay their Gests Of progresse.1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica ii. ii. 58 It takes not away this vertue of the earth, but more distinctly sets downe the gests and progresse thereof. View more context for this quotation1649 H. Hammond Christians Obligations iii. 66 When God hath designed the crosse, the constant post and stage in our gesses to Heaven.
a. plural. The various stages of a journey, esp. of a royal progress; the route followed or planned. Also occasionally in singular.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > a stage in a journey
mansiona1382
journey1490
gests1550
jessa1593
stage1603
stade1616
manzil1619
skoff1785
pipe1793
leg1898
lap1932
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > a stage in a journey > the various stages of a journey
gests1550
1550 King Edward VI Jrnl. in Lit. Rem. (Roxb.) 275 The gestis of my progres wer set fourth, wich were thes; from Grenwich to Westmuster [etc.].
1596 J. Norden Progr. Pietie 47 (heading) The first resting-place or jess in this progress.
1597 H. Maynard in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. II. 274 By that time the Queen meaneth to be with you, if the iestes hold, wch after manie alteracions is so sett downe..to be with you on Wednesdaie night.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 125 Diogneus and Beton..set down all the geasts and iournies of that prince.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. vii. xlii. 370/1 The like custome vsed hee in the winter season in his ieysts, and circuits throughout his Country.
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine v. iii. 147 Though in Jacobs Gests, Succoth succeeds the next place to Peniel, yet it follows not, that Jacob with his train went so far in one day.
1655 H. L'Estrange Reign King Charles 126 His [the king's] gests and motions were much fore-slowed by his making so many halts.
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Gest, the roll or journal of the several days and stages prefixed, in the progress of our kings...Hanmer.
b. singular. The time allotted for a halt or stay.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) i. ii. 41 Ile giue him my Commission, To let him there a Moneth, behind the Gest Prefix'd for's parting. View more context for this quotation
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
† gestv.1
Obsolete.
a. intransitive. To tell a tale, to recite a romance.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speech-making > recitation > recite [verb (intransitive)] > a romance, verses, etc.
singc900
gestc1386
jestc1386
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale Prol. 43 I kan nat geeste, Rum, Ram, Ruf by lettre.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 7256 Whenne þei were gladdest at þe feest Sampson coude wel geest.
c1425 Leg. Rood (1871) App. 211 I haue ioye forto gest Of þe lambe of love with-oute oþe.
14.. Sir Beues (MS. N) 2244 Als feire a man as thei myȝt gest.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 191/1 Gestyn' yn romawnce, gestio.
b. To play or sing as a professional ‘gester’.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)]
dreamOE
to make melodyc1330
to make minstrelsyc1330
note1340
practise?a1425
gest1508
melody1596
music1649
melodize1662
perform1724
spiel1870
1508 W. Kennedy Flyting (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 217 Tak the a fidill or a floyte, and geste.
Derivatives
ΚΠ
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 191/2 Gestynge, or romawncynge, gesticulatus, rythmicatus.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† gestv.2
Obsolete. rare.
transitive. To perform; only in phrase gested and done.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > carrying out > executed or performed [phrase]
gested and done1523
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. Author's Pref. 1 With what labours, daungers, and peryls they [auncyent actes] were gested and done.
1541 T. Paynell tr. Felicius Conspiracie of Catiline xxxii. f. 50v Supplications ware alwey decreed for a thinge prosperously gested and done against an ennemie.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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n.1a1300
n.213..
n.31509n.41550v.1c1386v.21523