I.imperf. gestibat, Gell. 15, 2, 1: “gestibant,” Plaut. As. 2, 2, 49), v. n. 2. gestus, I., to use passionate gestures, to throw one's self about (espec. for joy), to be transported, to exult, to be joyful, cheerful (cf.: exsilio, exsulto): gestit, qui subitā felicitate exhilaratus nimio corporis motu praeter consuetudinem exsultat, Paul. ex Fest. p. 96 Müll.; cf. Serv. Verg. G. 1, 387 (freq. and class.).
I. Lit.; constr. with abl. or absol.
(α).
With abl.: “quorum alter laetitiā gestiat, alter dolore crucietur,” Cic. Fin. 2, 4, 14; cf.: “voluptate nimiā gestire,” id. Off. 1, 29, 102: “inani laetitia exsultans et temere gestiens,” id. Tusc. 5, 6, 16: “Veliterni coloni gestientes otio,” Liv. 6, 36, 1: “cur non gestiret taurus equae contrectatione, equus vaccae,” Cic. N. D. 1, 27, 77; Col. 8, 15, 4: “secundis rebus,” Liv. 45, 19, 7.—
(β).
Absol.: “quid est, quod sic gestis?” Ter. Eun. 3, 5, 10; cf. ib. 7: “hac (eloquentiā) deducimus perterritos a timore, hac gestientes comprimimus,” Cic. N. D. 2, 59, 148: “tum gestit aper, cum sese Martia tigris Abstulit,” Val. Fl. 3, 634: “cum laetitia, ut adepta jam aliquid concupitum, efferatur et gestiat,” Cic. Tusc. 4, 6, 12; cf. id. ib. § 13.—*
B. Trop., in speaking, to enlarge at will, to digress: “quapropter historiae nonnumquam ubertas in aliqua exercendi stili parte ponenda, et dialogorum libertate gestiendum,” Quint. 10, 5, 15.—
II. Transf., to desire eagerly or passionately, to long for; constr. usually with inf., rarely with abl. or absol.
(α).
With inf.: “roga, obsecro hercle, gestio promittere,” Plaut. Ps. 1, 1, 114; 4, 6, 11: “machaera, quae gestit stragem facere,” id. Mil. 1, 1, 8: “moecho abdomen adimere,” id. ib. 5, 1, 5: “gestio scire ista omnia,” Cic. Att. 4, 11, 1: “Antonius senatum delere gestit,” id. Phil. 6, 14: “nihil erat, quod Zeno mutare gestiret,” id. Fin. 4, 4, 8: “transfuga divitum Partes linquere gestio,” Hor. C. 3, 16, 24: “fuge, quo descendere gestis,” id. Ep. 1, 20, 5: “quod gestiat animus aliquid agere in re publica,” Cic. Att. 2, 7, 4.—With pass. inf.: “equidem illam moveri gestio,” Plaut. As. 4, 1, 43: “ipsum gestio dari mihi in conspectum,” Ter. Phorm. 2, 1, 30; Plin. Pan. 39, 2; Gell. 16, 13, 4.—
(β).
With abl.: “(cygnos) nunc currere in undas, Et studio incassum videas gestire lavandi,” Verg. G. 1, 387.—
(γ).
Absol.: gestiunt pugni mihi. my fists itch to be at you, Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 167: “dudum scapulae gestibant mihi,” i. e. were longing for the whip, id. As. 2, 2, 49: “inridere ne videare et gestire admodum,” id. Most. 3, 2, 126.
