body English

noun

1
: bodily motions made in a usually unconscious effort to influence the progress of a propelled object (such as a ball)
2
: the bodily movements a rider makes to supplement basic steering of a vehicle
… learning to control the howling machine with a combination of throttle and body EnglishPeter Passell
3
: body language
I was beginning to learn his body English. His hand tightened on mine and he indicated that he wanted to leave.Harper Lee

Examples of body English in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Pastrnak added some unorthodox body English to the shot. Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of body English was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near body English

Cite this Entry

“Body English.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body%20English. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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