Signs for technical/specialized vocabulary

David Bar-Tzur

Links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

galaxy Illuminated letter Ggraph of z=sin(x)*sin(y)

Warped Spiral Galaxy ESO510-131; graph of z = sin(x) * sin(y).2

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this dictionary).

For content knowledge of how to use the physics terms in context, see Guided tutorial in physics for interpreters.

For negotiating and developing temporary signs, see Preparation and sign negotiation

For vocabulary lists to determine helpful signs for a specific discipline, see Vocabulary lists by topic.


Gabon
[G], PO > NDS, traces moustache. To see the reference source for the sign(s) for this country or to look up other countries in the same geographical area, see Indigenous signs for countries. To find signs for cities within this country (some have no entries) see Indigenous signs for cities.

Gabriel (Islam)
[Bb] holds dorsum (backhand) against forehead + mime flapping wings. For a film of this Saudi sign, click on Gabriel.

gadolinium
G-D. For more information on this and other elements, see The elements. And for fun, see Elements by Tom Lehrer. To see this song with captions, go to The Elements song by Tom Lehrer.

gaffer
FT of [5:] touch DS shoulder, then change to [A dot], PO > NDS, FO away, and rises in an outward arc ELECTRICITY AGENT.

gag
The right "five" hand touches the chest and the facial expression should reflect gagging.

gain
INCREASE.

gala
CELEBRATE. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - gala.

galactic cannibalism
BIG [5:], PO up, FO away, is held above [S], PO down, FO away. DH descend and strikes NDH while closing to [S] + (2h)[C], POs ><, FOs away, hands rush together (GRAVITY GROUP-TOGETHER = GALAXY) EAT-UP SMALL, where EAT-UP is [5:] touches FT to palm of [B], PO > DS, FO up, and DH closes and opens as is travels up the palm, as if taking small bites of it, while gnashing the teeth with each bite.

galactic corona
GALAXY C-O-R-O-N-A, where the first sign is [5:], PO up, FO away, is held above [S], PO down, FO away. DH descend and strikes NDH while closing to [S] + (2h)[C], POs ><, FOs away, hands rush together.

Galatians (Πρὸς Γαλάτας)
G-A-L.

Gallaudet, Thomas Hopkins
[G], PO > NDS, is held at DS eye and drawn towards DS while closing to [bO] like GLASSES but only one movement. (< the glasses he wore.)

Gallaudet, Thomas Miner
[M] touch NDS of upper chest, then DS. Son of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and President of what would become Gallaudet University.

Gallaudet (University)
[G], PO > NDS, is held at DS eye and drawn towards DS while closing to [bO] like GLASSES but only one movement. (< the glasses worn by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet.)

gall bladder
G-A-L-L B-L-A-D-D-E-R.

Gallimore, Laurene
Thumb of [L], FO up, taps at temple.

gallium
G-A. For more information on this and other elements, see The elements. And for fun, see Elements by Tom Lehrer. To see this song with captions, go to The Elements song by Tom Lehrer.

gallium arsenide
G-A-S.

gallop
HORSE + (2h)[V] are held DH in front of NDH and bend and move as if galloping. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - gallop.

galoshes
SHOES(1x) + [Bb], PO > back, taps 2x close to elbow. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - galoshes.

Galut

galvanometer
"G" METER.

game
(2h)[A], POs > signer, FOs ><, click knuckles together 2x.

gamma

gamma function
(2h)[1], NDPO > DS, DPO down, FTs touching + FUNCTION.

gamma ray
Draw the shape of a lowercase gamma (lowercase gamma) in the air with the index finger + R-A-Y.

gamma-ray burster
GAMMA R-A-Y + [O^], PO away, FO up, flashes open and closed repeatedly.

Gan Eden

gang
[I] or [S], PO twisted > DS, strokes the DS chest with force and tongue pushes out DS cheek. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - gang.

garter
FT of [G] are drawn across upper leg + FT of [5:] strike midpoint of garter.

garter-belt
(2h)[H dot] close 2x like the sign NO at respective sides of upper leg.

gas

gasoline
Thumb of [A dot] is inserted twice into a slightly open [S], PO > DS, FO away.

gasp
The right "five" hand touches the chest and the facial expression should reflect gasping.

gate array
G-A.

gate controller switch
G-C-S.

gather (together, people)
(1) (2h)[S>5wg], POs down, move > one another. (2) Same as (1) + TOGETHER.

gauge (meter)
DH [1], PO away, FO up, is held behind NDH [C], PO > DS, FO up, as if it were the frame to the meter, and the DH twists slightly as if it were the moving needle.

gaunt
THIN with hu. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - gaunt.

gauss (deprecated)
"G".

Gaussian curve
C-U-R-V-E,
1outline-CL'draw bell-shaped curve'.
Bforearm-CL'x-axis'-------------->.

Gay
(1) (Many prefer that it be fingerspelled) G-A-Y. (2) [G], FO > ND side, touches or taps chin. Better to sign it far away from the chin. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - Gay. (3) Curled index and thumb grasp earlobe and tug several times. This sign is used primarily in California.

gay bashing
GAY BEAT-UP.

gears
NDH [5:], PO > DS, DH [1] traces vertical jagged edge alongside of NDH.

geek
(1) [G] grasps nose and travels slightly down it as if glasses were slipping down nose. (2) NDH [B], PO > signer, FO > DS, is held against left side of chest as if it were a pocket and DH [1] puts several pens into the "pocket".

Gehenim
(1) [H], PO > signer is held high at NDS and moves diagonally down to DS. (< a body being hurled into the traditional place for Hell.) (2) INDEX-Hell FIRE.

gel (stage lighting)
COLOR + (2h)[B], POs > signer, FOs ><, DH moves > NDS and covers backhand of NDH.

gelt
CHOCOLATE MONEY.

gematriyah
EXPLAIN TORAH HOW? NUMBER++.

gender
(1) Thumb of [5] touches temple and midchest, then chin and midchest, all on DS.

gender dysphoria
GENDER NOT SATISFIED.

gene
[G], PO > DS, spirals away from [C], PO > DS, FO away.

generalization
GENERAL TELL-STORY.

general purpose interface bus
G-P-I-B.

generate
(1) MAKE. (2) G-MAKE.

generator
(1) G-MAKE. (2) G-E-N.

generic
ANY* KIND, as in "generic dishwasher" = D-W, ANY* KIND.

generic array logic
G-A-L.

Genesis [Heb. Breishis, Breishit(h)]
G-E-N.

genetic engineering
GENE, SCIENCE CHANGE'modify'.

genitalia, genitals
(1) [5], PO > body, circles around the area of the genitals. (2) PENIS, VAGINA. If both sexes are meant or it's undisclosed. If you know which gender is meant, then use only that gender's genital name.

genius
(2h)[C], POs ><, FOs away, DH touches temple and NDH touches DH in a straight line extending from the temple.

genotype
[G], PO > DS, spirals away from [C], PO > DS, FO away, then DH is inserted into NDH from above + CHARACTERISTIC.

Gentile(s)

genuflect
Sign begins like STAND and the DHFTs are bent into [V:].

geometrically
USE GEOMERY.E.g.: "We can find the vector sum geometrically." Translation: CALCULATE VECTOR TOTAL HOW? USE GEOMETRY.

geometric method
METHOD USE GEOMETRY.

geometry
G-CALCULATE. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - geometry.

gerbil
(2h)[V:], touch FTs with DH above NDH and FT flutter. For a movie of this sign, see Dictionary of Sign (ASL) - gerbil.

germanium
G-E. For more information on this and other elements, see The elements. And for fun, see Elements by Tom Lehrer. To see this song with captions, go to The Elements song by Tom Lehrer.

Germany
[1], PO away from signer, FO up, touches wrist to top of head.1 (< spike on top of soldier's hat during the nineteenth century.) To see the reference source for the sign(s) for this country or to look up other countries in the same geographical area, see Indigenous signs for countries. To find signs for cities within this country (some have no entries) see Indigenous signs for cities.

Gestalt (psychology)
(2h)[5], POs down, FOs away, are held side by side and the hands descend, supinate, and end with POs up by traveling in a circle.

Gestapo
NAZI POLICE.

gestation
INSIDE-BODY, BABY GROW.

gesture
(2h)[5], POs ><, FOs away, alt. circle vertically.

get

Ghana
[G], PO > signer, moves from FTs to end of palm of [B], PO up, FO away from signer, 2x. To see the reference source for the sign(s) for this country or to look up other countries in the same geographical area, see Indigenous signs for countries. To find signs for cities within this country (some have no entries) see Indigenous signs for cities.

ghetto
G-H-E-T-T-O.

giant star
STAR (2h)bC-CL"cha".

giga- (109)
G- [plus unit abbreviation].

gigahertz
G-H-Z.

gilgul
SOUL + FT of [V] touch chest, curl to [V:], then FT are straightened while pointed away, as if the SOUL where transferred to another body.

gin and tonic
G-T.

Girl Scout
GIRL + salute with [straightened M].

Giten Moed!
(1) HAPPY HOLIDAY. (2) HAPPY + (mention specific holiday).

Git Shabbes!
GOOD SHABBOS.

Git voch!
ENJOY YOUR WEEK.

Git yahr!
ENJOY YOUR WEEK, TOO.

Git Yon Tif!
(1) HAPPY HOLIDAY. (2) HAPPY + (mention specific holiday).

given (for example, "~ a frictionless surface")
ALREADY KNOW-THAT (HAVE).

gladiator
SLAVE SOLDIER.

gland
G-L-A-N-D.

glans
[B^] indicates a semi-spherical surface at the end of NDH [1], PO > DS, FO away.

glass blowing
FT of [X] taps front teeth + NDH [S] is held at mouth and [S], PO > mouth expands to a [5:].

glaucoma
G-L-A-U-C-O-M-A.

g'lilah
HONOR HOW? TIE TORAH.

global

global positioning system
G-P-S.

Gloria in excelsis!
GLORY GOD + (2h)[O^], POs up, is lifted > GOD and then the hands are opened to (2h)[5].

glorify
ANNOUNCE HIS GLORY.

glorious
HAVE GLORY.

glory
(1) (2h)[5], POs><, FOs away from signer, DH which is on top wiggles fingers while ascending. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Glory. (2) (2h)[5], POs><, FOs away from signer, DH which is on top moves > NDS, then wiggles fingers while moving in an upward arc > DS. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Glory.

Glory to God in the highest!
GLORY GOD + (2h)[O^], POs up, is lifted > GOD and then the hands are opened to (2h)[5].

glossolalia
HOLY SPIRIT OVERWHELM, (2h)SPEAKwg STRANGE.

glossy
[open 8], PO down, twists hand repeatedly as it rises from [B], PO down, FO away. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - glossy.

glove (baseball)
(2h)[5], POs down, FOs away, DH strokes back of NDH + DH [S] strikes palm of NDH [5:], PO > DS, 3x.

glue
[G], PO > NDS, FO up, opens and closes as it moves across the mouth. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - glue.

gluon (g)
"G" PARTICLE. .

G'mar Tov!
HOPE GOD JUDGE HONORIFIC-INDEX GOOD.

go ahead
(2h)[B^], POs ><, FOs away, moves forward.

goal

goal tending
G-O-A-L + (2h)[1], DH taps bottom middle of finger several times against NDPO > DS, FO up.

gobo (stage lighting)
G-O-B-O.

God

(false) god
(1) SHAPE. (2) I-SHAPE. (3) G-O-D.

Goddess (Pagan, Wiccan)
S-GOD, that is, [S], PO > NDS, FT away from signer, is held high and a little distance from the body is brought down and hand is bent at wrist so that the FO changes to up.

goes to completion (Chemistry)
R-ANSWER (REACT) 100 PERCENT.

goggles
(2h)C-CL tap twice at eyes.

gold (technical)
A-U. For more information on this and other elements, see The elements. And for fun, see Elements by Tom Lehrer. To see this song with captions, go to The Elements song by Tom Lehrer.

golf
(2h)[bX], close to body, hold onto imaginary club and swing slightly twice.

golf course
GOLF C-O-U-R-S-E.

Gong xi fa cai!
Clasp NDH over DH [S], FOs up, and shake the hands forward and back while bowing head and closing eyes momentarily. The greeting for Chinese New Year. This sign is also the (Chinese) hearing gesture that accompanies it.

gonorrhea
(1) G-O-N-O-R-R-H-E-A. (2) G-C.

Gooch crucible
G-O-O-C-H CRUCIBLE.

Good Friday
GOOD FRIDAY.

goods (business)
THINGS SELL.

goodwill
GOOD W-I-L-L.

gopher
(2h)[V:], tap FTs with DH above NDH + [1] spirals forward under [B], PO down, FO away. For a movie of this sign, see Dictionary of Sign (ASL) - gopher.

gorilla
(2h)[A] beats chest alt. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - gorilla.

gospel
(1) SAY~NEW. (2) G-NEW+. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - Gospel. (3) GOOD~NEW. (4) GOOD INFORM"all". (5) GOOD ANNOUNCE.

govern
CONTROL. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - govern.

Governing Body (Jehovah's Witness policy-making body)
G,B-MEMBER.

goy (pl. goyim)
NOT JEWISH.

goyish
(1) NOT JEWISH WAY. (2) NOT JEWISH POSS. (3) THINK JEWISH NOT.

goyishe kup
THINK JEWISH NOT.

grace
(1) [O^] or [S], held high and PO > Heaven, supinates and opens to [5] while being brought towards head. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Grace. (2) [G], held high and PO > Heaven, is brought down until hand touches chest with pinkie side of DH. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Grace. (3) DH [G] is held behind NDH [B], PO > signer, FO > DS, (DH closer to signer) and the DH moves in an arc over the NDH in such a way that at the apex of the arc, the index finger is pointing upward, ending with [G], PO up, FO away. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Grace. (4) [5], PO down, is held high above head and wiggles while descending. (< all of these are related to God's grace descending upon us.)

grace (prayer before a meal)
THANK GOD FOR FOOD.

gracious
KIND, that is, (2h)[B], POs > signer, FOs ><, DH revolves around NDH. (< wrapping a bandage as an act of kindness.)

grade

gradeline
GROUND(DIRT) + thumbside of [B], PO down, FO away, strikes little finger level of [B], PO > NDS, FO away, to show where ground meets building wall.

gradient
G-R-A-D.

graduate
[G], twists as in GOVERNMENT and lands on palm of [B], PO up, FO away.

graduated cylinder
MEASURE + (2h)[F], POs ><, FOs away, with DH moving upwards to show thin neck.

graduate school
DH [2], PO > signer, crosses wrists with NDH [5], PO > signer, and taps twice.

graduation (ceremony)
[O^], PO down, moves imaginary tassel of mortarboard from right front corner to left front corner.

gram
"G".

grammar
G-SENTENCE.

grand jury
G-R-A-N-D (2h)5:-CL'row of people facing signer'.

grand mean
(2h)[5], POs down, FOs away, are held side by side and the hands descend, supinate, and end with POs up by traveling in a circle with elel+ AVERAGE.

grand unified theories (Astronomy)
G-U-T-'S, where the final S twists to show the plural.

granule
BURN 5:-CL'patch'.

granules, granulation
BURN (2h)alt.5:-CL'patches'.

grapefruit
[Y], PO down, slice with thumb several times at [S], PO towards.

graph

graphic

graphically expressed
GRAPH "WHAT"? E.g.: "This situation is graphically expressed by using an open circle at each endpoint." Translation:GRAPH "WHAT"? LINE, (2h)1outline-CL'small circle at each end'. INSIDE (2h)alt.INDEX'circles', EMPTY.

graphical user interface (GUI)
G-U-I.

graphics
NDH [B], PO > DS, DH [G], PO >NDS, G descends in a wavy pattern.

grass (marijuana)

grateful, gratitude (to God)
(2h)THANK-GOD++.

grating (Astronomy)
GLASS + [A dot] cuts a series of vertical lines into the palm of [B], PO > DS, FO away with "zz".

gravel
G-STONE.

graven image
(1) SHAPE. (2) I-SHAPE.

gravimetric
GRAVITY MEASURE.

gravitational collapse
GRAVITY CAUSE BREAK-DOWN, that is, [5:], PO up, FO away, is held above [S], PO down, FO away. DH descend and strikes NDH while closing to [S] + (2h)[S] are held at the chest as if holding a rope and move forward while opening to (2h)[5] + (2h)[5:], POs down, FOs up diagonally, interlace fingers and without separating the FT pivot downwards. For a QuickTime movie of CAUSE, see ASL browser - cause. For a QuickTime movie of BREAK-DIWB, see ASL browser - break-down.

gravitational force
"G".

gravitational lens
GRAVITY BEHAVE LIKE L-E-N-S, where the first sign is [5:], PO up, FO away, is held above [S], PO down, FO away. DH descend and strikes NDH while closing to [S].

gravitational radiation
DH [5^], PO up, FO away, is held above [S], PO down, FO away. DH descends while closing to an [S} and striked NDH from above + DH [5] is held over NDH [S], PO down, FO > DS, and wiggles while rising to show radiation.

gravitational red shift
DH [5^], PO up, FO away, is held above [S], PO down, FO away. DH descends while closing to an [S} and striked NDH from above + RED + (2h)[B], POs ><, FOs up, both hands suddently shift to the left.

gravity
[5:], PO up, FO away, is held above [S], PO down, FO away. DH descend and strikes NDH while closing to [S].

Graybill, Patrick
[P] or [P] then [G] is tapped thumbside against chest.

(is) greater than
(2h)[B^], POs <>, FOs up, FTs touch, then moves in an upward arc that approaches the signer. E.g.: "Four is greater than three" would be signed FOUR@rt MORE-THAN THREE@lf. Note: Try and keep the numbers in the right position in relation to the number line. Spatializing the FOUR and the THREE in the same place muddies the concept. Also if you are referring to everything that is greater than a certain number, you want to show its as being horizontally greater than the number so add, GREATER-THAN-'to the right', that is, the hands start out like NEXT-TO, but the dominant hand keeps moving while wiggling the fingers to show everything that is to the right.

(is) greater than or equal to
GREATER-THAN #OR EQUAL
GREATER-THAN-------------->

Greece
(2h)[1], DPO away from signer, FO up is touched from behind by NDH, PO away from signer, FO > DS. To see the reference source for the sign(s) for this country or to look up other countries in the same geographical area, see Indigenous signs for countries. To find signs for cities within this country (some have no entries) see Indigenous signs for cities.

Greenland
[G], PO > NDS, touches nose at nostrils and bridge, then moves away from signer while closing to [bO]. To see the reference source for the sign(s) for this country or to look up other countries in the same geographical area, see Indigenous signs for countries. To find signs for cities within this country (some have no entries) see Indigenous signs for cities.

Gretzky, Wayne
The number NINETY-NINE is put on the ND arm, with the PO away.

grief, grieve
(2h)[C] turn to (2h)[S) as they "wring out the heart".

grievance
COMPLAIN while mouthing "po".

grill

grind
(2h)[A], DPO down, NDPO up, DH rubs in a circle against NDH with teeth chattering to distinguish from WASH-DISHES.

grip (media)
G-R-I-P.

grogger
(1) (1h)CELEBRATE. (2) (1h)CELEBRATE NOISE. (< miming the action of twirling a grogger.)

gross income
G-R-O-S-S INCOME, where the latter is DH [C] rubs little finger side in a circular pattern against the NDH palm while closing to an [S].

gross national product
G-N-P.

ground

ground fault circuit interrupter
G-F-C-I.

ground fault interrupter
G-F-I.

ground state
MINIMUM SITUATION, that is, DH [B], PO down, touches the top of NDH [B], PO down, and rises upward + S-CULTURE.

group

group dynamics
GROUP + (2h)[5].

group leader (LDS [Mormon])
G-CLASS LEADER.

ground out
DH [1], PO down, FO away, slaps 3x at the palm of NDH [B], PO up, FO away, as both move away (looks like FALL-IN-LOVE) + [A dot], PO > NDS, FO up, moves backwards over shoulder.

group sex
The base sign is (2h)[V], POs ><, FOs away, DH bounces on top of NDH, which is repeatedly produced while the arms circle in a horizontal plane.

grow (increase) without limit
INCREASE++, STOP NEVER. The NDH does not move in INCREASE++.

guanine
"G".

guard (basketball)
"G".

guardian
TAKE-CARE-OF AGENT, where the first sign is (2h)[K] crossed at wrists and hands circle vertically perpendicular to the chest.

Guatemala
DH [G], PO away from signer, FO > NDS, brushes away 2x with heel of palm on [A], PO down, FO > DS. To see the reference source for the sign(s) for this country or to look up other countries in the same geographical area, see Indigenous signs for countries. To find signs for cities within this country (some have no entries) see Indigenous signs for cities.

guide dog
LEAD+ DOG. A dog that is used by the blind or deaf-blind to guide them.

guru (Hinduism)
GOD MAN.

gym
(1) (2h)bO-CL'skip rope'. (2) (2h)[B^] tap respective shoulders twice.

gymnastics
(1) NDH [1], PO away, FO > DS, touches back of wrist of [H], PO away, FO up; DH circles around until PO is > signer and FO up. (2) (2h)[bO] jumps rope. (3) POs towards, FOs ><, [U] circles [1]. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - gymnastics.

gym shoes
RUBBER SHOES.

gynecologist
(1) DOCTOR, MAJOR WOMAN. (2) DOCTOR, WOMAN MAJOR. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - gynecologist. (3) G-Y-N.

gyromagnetic ratio
Draw a lowercase gamma (lowercase gamma) in the air.

Image credits

1. Warped Spiral Galaxy ESO510-13.

2. From http://members.aol.com/matt1s/3-DGG/3-dggart.htm (3-D graphs), which is no longer extant.

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