Gest
/dʒɛst/noun
A deed, act, or exploit, especially one recounted in story or legend.
Did you know?In medieval literature, a gest was often a chivalric tale of deeds, and the word ultimately traces back to Latin for what was done, not what was said—proof that history once valued action as a kind of spell.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰes-
“to carry, bear, or perform”
Latin
Latin
gestus
“carried, borne; done, performed; a bearing or gesture”
Late Latin
Latin
gesta
“deeds, exploits, things done”
Old French
Old French
geste
“deed, exploit; heroic tale or romance”
Middle English
English
gest
“a deed, exploit, or narrative of deeds”
Modern English
English
gest
“a deed or exploit, especially in historical or literary use”