Chapter D: =Dam.= Sign for Stream or River and Hold. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _la digue_, _l’écluse_; Ger. _der Damm_.

=Dance= (People jumping together). Bring the flat (or “5”) hands in front of body about height of breast, with fingers pointing nearly up, palms toward each other about six inches apart. Move the hands briskly upward and downward a few inches several times, simultaneously, mostly by elbow action. Compare _People_.

=Dance= (Drumming). Hold up one flat hand face high, back to side, thumb raised and up: jerk up and down. (C)

Fr. _danser_; _la danse_; Ger. _tanzen_, _der Tanz_.

=Danger= (The _Scout_ or _Wolf_ going ahead and coming back to report danger). Right V hand, back upward, moved directly and slowly forward in front of the right shoulder and then suddenly and quickly drawn back at the same time the body is thrown back a little. (Sheeaka.)

=Danger.= Sign _Look_, _Little_, _Afraid_ (No. 2).

Fr. _le danger_; Ger. _die Gefahr_.

=Dangerous= (Of a man). Sign _Strong_ and _Bad_.

Fr. _dangereux_; Ger. _gefährlich_.

=Dare you.= See _Challenge_.

=Dark=, =Unknown=, =Obscure=. Bring the flat hands, back outward, in front of face, right hand nearest face, left a little ahead, hands crossed, tips of fingers about opposite centre of forehead; bring the hands very slightly toward face. Compare _Ashamed_ and _Blind_.

Fr. _obscur_; Ger. _dunkel_.

=Daughter.= Sign _Born_ and _Female_.

Fr. _la fille_; Ger. _die Tochter_.

=Day.= See _Time_.

=Daybreak.= Sign _Little_, _Sunrise_.

=Daybreak= (A peep through darkness). Hold right flat hand above left flat hand and in same plane; right little finger on left index then raise the right hand a few inches higher. (C)

Fr. _l’aube_; Ger. _der Tagesanbruch_.

=Dead=, =Death=. Make the sign for _Die_ and _Sleep_. (C) The Cheyennes use _Die_.

Fr. _mort_; Ger. _tot_.

=Deaf= (Hearing ground out). Press the palm of extended right hand slightly against right ear, and move the hand in small circle parallel to and close to the ear. Sometimes add _Not_.

Fr. _sourd_; Ger. _taub_.

=Debt.= See _Owe_.

=Deceive.= Sign _Give_ and _Lie_.

Fr. _tromper_; Ger. _betrügen_.

=Decide=, =Determine=, =Make up one’s mind= (Think, then act or settle it). Lower the head and raise right fist to chin; then raise the head and cut down with the little finger edge of the flat right hand. (Sheeaka.)

=Decide.= This is a sentence rather than a sign. With 4 hand over heart, sign _Consider_; point slowly in two or three directions for _Ways_; sign _That_ by vigorously swinging the right G index out, pointing down; then add _So_ by raising it slightly up and then down. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _décider_; Ger. _sich entscheiden_.

=Decrease=, =Reduce=, or =Make smaller=. Hold flat right hand, palm down, high above, a little to the side of flat left hand, palm up; move them together in succession of little jerks. Sometimes for emphasis finish by compressing all right fingers to a point in the left palm. Compare _Increase_ and _Heap_.

Fr. _diminuer_; Ger. _verringern_.

=Decrepit=, =Old=, or =Broken down= (Bent with disease or age). Hold up G hand, back to right, higher than shoulder; lower the hand several inches, at same time bend the index. (C)

=Decrepit.= Hold up the right G, shoulder high, with index bent in a hook; rotate as in _Old_.

Fr. _décrépit_; Ger. _altersschwach_, _gebrechlich_.

=Deed.= See _Act_.

=Deep.= Hold the left flat hand horizontal, chin high, back up, fingers pointing to right; then drop right arm to full length down with flat right hand palm up, under left, fingers pointing forward.

Fr. _profond_; Ger. _tief_.

=Deer.= Both hands fully spread, palms in and held up to the side of the head to represent the horns of a deer. (Sheeaka.) This is generic for _Deer_. Compare _Elk_.

Fr. _le cerf_; Ger. _der Hirsch_.

=Deer, Mule= or =Rocky Mountain Blacktail=. Sign _Deer_ then set compressed hand at each ear pointing up and forward to indicate the large ears, as in a mule. (Scott.) Compare _Bear_.

Fr. _le cerf mulet_; Ger. _der langohrige Hirsch_.

=Deer, Whitetailed= or =Virginian=. Raise the right G hand, pointing up and shoulder high; switch it from nearly horizontal right to nearly horizontal left and back, several times, pausing at the low point each time. Sign _Deer_ if need for clearness.

Fr. _le cerf de la Virginie_; Ger. _der Hirsch aus Virginien_.

=Defame.= See _Abuse_.

=Defend=, =Protect=, =Defense=, =Forbid=, or =Protection=. Sign the same as the first part of _Corral_, but swing the joined hands to left and right. So also to separate the hands means to _Loose_ or _Remove_ protection. See _Hold_ or _Protect_.

Fr. _défendre_; Ger. _verteidigen_.

=Defiance=, =Defy=, =Dare=, =Challenge=, or =I defy you=. Point the T hand toward the person. This is an extremely insulting challenge implying also the extreme of hatred and contempt. See _Challenge_.

Fr. _le défi_, _défier_; Ger. _die Herausforderung_, _trotzen_.

=Defiance, Insolent.= See _Mockery_.

=Delight.= See _Excite_.

=Depart.= See _Go_.

=Describe=, =Explain=, or =Tell about= (Tell all about it). Sign _Talk_ and _All_—that is, swing the curved flat right hand, palm down, and to left, in a horizontal circle in front of the right cheek.

Fr. _décrire_; Ger. _beschreiben_.

=Desire.= See _Want_.

=Destroy.= See _Exterminate_.

=Determine.= See _Decide_.

=Devil.= Sign _Medicine_, _Horns_, and _Tail_. A purely modern sign.

Fr. _le diable_; Ger. _der Teufel_.

=Dew.= Sign _Night_, _Grass_, and the _Shimmer_; i.e., pass curved right 5 hand, palm down, with a tremulous motion just above the grass and add _Water_. (C)

Fr. _la rosée_; Ger. _der Tau_.

=Die= (To go under; i.e., underground). Hold left hand flat, fingers horizontal, palm to you, breast high, pointing to right. Hold right G hand pointing to left above and within; pass it down, under and up beyond, still pointing to left.

This is capable of modification. Thus passing the right hand under and drawing it back means to be near death but to _Recover_. To make the sign _Little_ after this means to _Faint_.

Fr. _mourir_; Ger. _sterben_.

=Die out.= See _Melt_.

=Different= or =Wrong= (Push aside). Hold up the flat right, pointing forward and a little up, back to right. Swing the whole arm a foot to right, forward and upward, without bending the wrist, then back to first pose and repeat; a much-used and very plastic sign. Compare _Bad_ and _No_.

Fr. _différent_; Ger. _anders_.

=Difficulty.= See _Trouble_.

=Dig.= Use flat right hand as a spade.

Fr. _creuser_; Ger. _graben_.

=Dime.= Sign _White_, _Little_, _Money_.

=Dinner.= Sign _Noon_ or _Night_, as may be, and _Eat_.

Fr. _le dîner_; Ger. _das Mittagessen_, _die Haupmahlzeit_.

=Direction.= Point the G finger forward and down, swing it forward in a curve till it is about horizontal and pointing in the line intended.

Fr. _la direction_; Ger. _die Richtung_.

=Dirt= or =Soil=. See _Earth_.

=Dirty.= Rub the tips of the 1st and 2nd fingers with the tip of the thumb, exactly as in _Powder_, and add _Bad_.

Fr. _sal_; Ger. _schmutzig_.

=Disappear.= Hold out the flat left, palm in, then shoot compressed right, points first, over and down; then rub upper edge of left with palm tips of right to mean _wiped out_.

=Disappear.= Look around and sign _See_, _Not_. Sometimes use _Hide_.

Fr. _disparaître_; Ger. _verschwinden_.

=Disbelief.= Sign _That_, _True_, _I think_, _No_.

Fr. _l’incrédulité_; Ger. _der Unglaube_.

=Disciple.= See _Learner_.

=Discouraged.= See _Sorrow_.

=Discovery.= _Found out._

=Discussion=, =Conversation=, or =Debate= (In a general sense). Hold out both flat hands, palms up, level, six inches apart, breast high; swing both to left, then back to right several times, to signify the handing of words back and forth.

=Discussion= or =Conversation= (Between two). Make the sign for _Talk_ alternately right at left and left at right.

Fr. _la conversation_; Ger. _das Gespräch_.

=Disgust= or =Dislike=. Push both flat hands forward palms out, fingers up, and turn away head. Or _Heart_, _Tired_. (C) Sometimes use _Scorn_.

Fr. _le dégoût_; Ger. _der Ekel_.

=Dismount.= Sign _Horseman_, then separate and lower right V hand, points up. If the points of the A hand were down, it would mean “looking on the ground.” See _Mount_.

Fr. _descendre de cheval_; Ger. _absteigen_.

=Disobey.= Sign _Hear_, _Not_. Compare _Obey_.

Fr. _désobéir_; Ger. _nicht gehorchen_.

=Distant.= See _Far_.

=Distress.= See _Sorrow_.

Fr. _la misère_; Ger. _die Not_.

=Dissolve.= See _Melt_.

=Dive= (To plunge into water). Place flat hands palm to palm and make the action of diving.

Fr. _plonger_; Ger. _tauchen_.

=Dive= or =Swoop= (Like a bird in air). Hold out flat left hand, back outward, bring flat right hand, back out, some inches in rear of and higher than left hand, pointing downward and forward; then shoot the right hand downward and outward, back of hand grazing under the left hand and up beyond. Compare _Born_.

Fr. _s’élancer_; Ger. _niederschiessen au_.

=Divorce.= Sign _Marry_, then swing the fingers apart horizontally. This is a legal divorce. When _Abandon_ is used it means leaving one’s mate without legal divorce.

=Do.= See _Work_.

=Doctor.= Sign _Chief_ and _Medicine_. (C) The Cheyennes omit _Chief_.

Fr. _le médecin_, _le docteur_; Ger. _der Arzt_.

=Doer= or =The one who does= or =Man who= (of all, that one). Sign _Man_, then swing right G on the level a foot, and back six inches; then raise and strike with same G down on middle of the line. (Sheeaka. Apparently no other Indian knew it.) The Cheyennes sign _Man_ and _Work_, or _Man_ and _Knows_.

Fr. _l’auteur_, _celui qui fait_; Ger. _der Täter_.

=Dog= (Drawing lodge poles). With V hand back up in front of body draw the double trail down and backward. Compare _Wolf_. Seger maintains that the idea here is the dog’s ears point backward as he runs. See _Bark_.

Fr. _le chien_; Ger. _der Hund_.

=Dollar.= Sign _Money_ and _One_. This would vary with the country, the sign stands for the unit of currency.

Fr. _le dollar_; Ger. _der Dollar_.

=Done=, =Ended=, =Finished=, =Complete=, =Period=, or =Full Stop= (Chopped off). Hold left hand flat, fingers touching, point forward, thumb up and with edge of right similarly held, chop down close past the tips of the fingers.

Also used as an auxiliary past tense, as _I done eat_.

=Done= (=2=) =Finish=, =Quit=, =Break off=. Hold up both fists at level of chin, palms down, middle knuckles of left touching ditto of right; jerk them a foot apart as though breaking a cord; swing them apart, down, along and up. This is also used as a _Period_ at the end of sentence and I have seen it used for _Bankrupt_. It is a northern sign recently established among the Cheyennes. Compare _Fat_ and _Break_.

Fr. _fini_; Ger. _fertig_.

=Don’t Care= (I am defiant). Tap chest with tips of right flat hand, then swing the hand briskly and high to right, keeping palm facing the left. (Sheeaka.) Merely shrug the shoulders. (Blackfoot.) The Cheyennes sign _Go ahead_.

Fr. _cela m’est égal_; Ger. _ich mache mir nichts daraus_.

=Do not= or =Don’t=. Hold up flat right hand, palm out, and forward at an angle; sharply shake the hand by wrist action back and forward (not sidewise), also sometimes the head. Compare _Easy_ and _Rub it out_. Sometimes use _Stop_.

Fr. _ne faites pas_; Ger. _tun Sie das nicht_.

=Don’t want.= See under _Want_.

=Door.= Sign _Teepee_ or _House_, then hold flat left hand, thumb up, and lay flat right across the palm with little finger of the right as the hinge; swing it till it lies flat on left palm. (C) The Cheyennes sign _House_, then pull and swing an imaginary door.

Fr. _la porte_; Ger. _die Tür_.

=Doubt=, =I am doubtful=. Very slowly shake the head. (Pop.) Cheyennes and other Indians add—right hand held out palm forward and down, open and shaken; really a slow, slight _Question_ sign. See _If_.

Fr. _le doute_, _j’en doute_; Ger. _der Zweifel_, _ich bezweifle_.

=Down=, =Downward=, or =Below=. Point straight down with right G, lowering the same. (Blackfoot.) Some use flat hand for this. Compare _Here_.

Fr. _en bas_; Ger. _unten_.

=Down-hearted.= See _Sorrow_.

=Dream= (See while sleeping). Sign _Sleep_ and _See_; keeping the eyes closed.

Fr. _le rêve_; Ger. _der Traum_.

=Dress.= Pass the palm of the L hand over the part of the body to be covered. Compare _Hat_, _Moccasin_, _Robe_, etc.

Fr. _la robe_; Ger. _das Kleid_.

=Drink= or =Drinking= (From a cup). The O hand to the mouth as in drinking. Compare _Want_.

=Drinking= in the abstract would be: Draw the hollow hand level to the mouth from slightly above and down past chin, fingers pointing nearly forward. This combines _Water_ and _Swallow_. See _Water_. Compare _Speech_.

Fr. _buvant_; Ger. _trinkend_.

=Drinking liquor= (Half a finger). Hold up right G hand back to you, then lay left G across back to indicate liquor, then add _Drink_. (Sheeaka.)

Fr. _buvant une boisson alcoolique_; Ger. _Schnaps trinkend_.

=Drive= (Sense of driving a herd, or running off a herd). With L hands horizontal, opposite each other and same height, about an inch between tips of thumbs; move the hands simultaneously in the direction of the drive.

Fr. _mener_; Ger. _treiben_.

=Driving= (A team). Hold both hands, backs out, as though holding reins, thumbs straight, with index of each around its point. See-saw the hands on the same level.

Fr. _conduisant_; Ger. _lenkend_, _fahrend_.

=Drouth.= Sign, _Long time_, _Rain_, _No_.

Fr. _la sécheresse_; Ger. _die Dürre_.

=Drown.= Sign _Water_ and _Die_.

Fr. _noyer_; Ger. _ertrinken_.

=Drum.= With G fingers draw a large circle, beginning together well forward, each making half-circle, ending near body; then strike on it several times with right A.

Fr. _le tambour_; Ger. _die Trommel_.

=Drunk= or =Drunkard=. Sign _Crazy_, _Drink_, and _Much_.

Fr. _ivre_; Ger. _betrunken_.

=Dry= (Of a stream or spring). Sign _Stream_, _Water_, _All gone_.

Fr. _sec_; Ger. _trocken_.

=Dry.= See _Thirsty_.

=Duck.= Sign for _Bird_ and make the broad bill with flat hand held under the nose, back up, pointing forward; push it forward a few inches, or else with thumb below and first and second fingers above.

Fr. _le canard_; Ger. _die Ente_.

=Dull= (Of a tool). Sign _Cut_ and _Not_ or _Bad_. Compare _Saw_.

Fr. _émoussé_; Ger. _stumpf_.

=Dull.= See _Dunce_.

=Dumb.= Press the finger tips of the flat hand on the mouth; add _Talk_ and _No_.

Fr. _muet_; Ger. _stumm_.

=Dunce= or =Dull= (Blockhead). Strike forehead with right fist knuckles. (D) A Cheyenne signed it _Behind_, _Book_, _Know_, _Not_.

Fr. _le benêt_, _l’imbécile_; Ger. _der Dummkopf_.

=During.= See _While_.

=Dust.= Rub tips of right fingers with tip of right thumb, as in _Powder_; then with flat right hand horizontal, palm down, pat several times toward the earth. (Scott.) See _Earth_ and _Land_.

If the dust is in the air, pat down with one flat hand, then wave both 5 hands, points up, near the eyes; sometimes blink and draw back to make it more expressive.

Fr. _la poussière_; Ger. _der Staub_.

=Duty= (That, me, sends). Sign for _That_, _Me_, and _Go_ (emphatically).

Fr. _le devoir_; Ger. _die Pflicht_.

=Dwell= or =Inhabit= (Alive and moving about in). Right flat hand, face high, pointing up, twisted slowly from left to right two or three times. Compare _Appear_, _Alive_, and _Doubt_.

=Dwell= (=2=) (Sitting, emphatic). One fist above the other in front as though grasping a stake, then with both hands push it down and slightly forward. (Blackfoot.) Compare _Sit_.

Fr. _demeurer_; Ger. _bewohnen_, _wohnen_.

=Dwindle.= See _Decrease_.

E

=Eagle.= The sign for _Bird_ is slowly made, then with the G hand in front of the face, back to right, describe a downward curve from between the eyes to indicate the curved bill of the eagle. This same sign is given for _Roman nose_, but hold the back of the hand forward.

Fr. _l’aigle_; Ger. _der Adler_.

=Early.= See _Soon_.

=Early evening.= Sign _Sunset_ and _Little of_. (C) The Cheyennes understood this, but preferred to swing the _Sun_ sign down to near, but not quite, level.

Fr. _au commencement du soir_; Ger. _früh am Abend_.

=Early morning.= Sign _Little_ and _Daybreak_, or _Sunrise_.

Fr. _de bon matin_; Ger. _frühmorgens_.

=Ear-rings.= Make a ring of each index and thumb and apply to each ear-lobe, backs of hands out, other fingers raised.

Fr. _les boucles d’oreilles_; Ger. _das Ohrgehänge_.

=Earth=, =the World= (All land). Sign _All_ with both flat hands, palms down, then pat down with both hands twice. Compare _Land_.

Fr. _le monde_; Ger. _die Erde_, _die Welt_.

=Earth=, =Soil=, or =Dirt=. Point down, then with thumb and finger tips, lift and rub some imaginary soil as in _Powder_.

Fr. _la terre_; Ger. _die Erde_, _der Schmutz_.

=Easy=, =Softly=, or =Gently=. Hold flat hand at face height, fingers half spread and a little curved, palm forward, leaning toward the person and gently and slightly shake the hand from side to side. (Sioux and Blackfoot.) With slight modification, much used on the railway in shunting. Compare _Rub it out_, _Question_, and _Do not_.

Fr. _doucement_; Ger. _sachte_.

=Eat= or =Food=. Throw the nearly compressed right hand lightly in a curve past the mouth several times. Compare _Water_ and _Drink_.

Fr. _manger_; Ger. _essen_.

=Eaten enough= (Full to throat). Sign _Eat_, then lay L hand on breast, palm in, and raise it to opposite chin. Compare _Hang_.

Fr. _assez mangé_; Ger. _satt gegessen_.

=Effect.= See _Result_.

=Effort.= See _Try_.

=Egg.= Sign _Bird_ and _Born_; then indicate the size of the egg with finger and thumb of one or both hands.

Fr. _l’oeuf_; Ger. _das Ei_.

=Either=, =Or=. Hold out left V hand, back up; tap each finger in turn with right G. Compare _Both_.

Fr. _l’un ou l’autre_, _ou ... ou_; Ger. _entweder ... oder_.

=Elk= or =Wapiti=. Hold the hands above the head at arm’s length on each side, thumb and first two fingers of each spread, others closed; jerk them forward two or three times for three or four inches. Compare _Deer_, _Moose_, and _Caribou_.

Fr. _le cerf du Canada_; Ger. _das Elentier_.

=Empty=, =Absent=, =Gone=, or =Out of=. Place the right 5 hand, points up, in the left C hand, which is back, forward, and down; drop the right hand down out of the left, closing left to O. Compare _All gone_.

Fr. _vide_; Ger. _leer_.

=Encamp.= See _Camp_.

=Encircle.= See _Surround_.

=Enclosure.= Hold out both 5 hands level, palm to palm, finger tips touching; swing them apart in a horizontal circle; draw them back; end with fingers wide apart and heels touching. A much-used sign. See _Corral_.

Fr. _l’enclos_; Ger. _die Einzäunung_.

=End.= See _Done_.

=Endure=, =Suffer=, or =Stand it= (Suffering, but strong and erect). Hold flat curved right hand close in front of breast, breathe heavily, swinging the hand near and from; then raise the right A hand in a curve out and up, about head high. (Sheeaka.) Understood, but not used by Cheyennes.

Fr. _supporter_; Ger. _aushalten_, _leiden_.

=Enemy.= Sign _Shake hands_ and _Not_. Sometimes use _Hate_.

Fr. _l’ennemi_; Ger. _der Feind_.

=Engaged= or =Betrothed= (Ring-bound). Sign _Prisoner_, then with right index indicate a ring on ring finger of left hand. (D)

=Engaged.= Sign _Bye and bye_, _Marry_. See _Courting_.

Fr. _fiancé_; Ger. _verlobt_.

=Engagement= (i.e., Business). Swing the flat hands, palms up, up and down for six or eight inches, as in _Road_, but not progressing. Or, sign _Road_ and _Meet_.

Fr. _l’engagement_, _l’obligation_; Ger. _die Verabredung_.

=Enlist.= Sign _Work_ and _Soldier_.

Fr. _enrôler_; Ger. _sich anwerben lassen_.

=Enough= or =Full= in general sense (Levelling off a full measure). Hold out left O hand, back to left, and across the top from right to left pass the flat palm of the open right hand. Sometimes add _Strong_, to mean _Plenty_. See _Eaten enough_.

Fr. _assez_; Ger. _genug_.

=Enter= or =Come into=. Hold out hollow left, back up, and pass compressed right hand under and beyond.

Fr. _entrer_; Ger. _eintreten_.

=Equal=, =Even=, =Same=, =Too=, =Also= (Even race). Hold G hands in front of breast, side by side, backs up, pointing to front, about two inches apart; push them forward together and a little up in a sweep. A much-used sign. Compare _Race_, _Parallel_, _Marry_, and _Mate_.

Fr. _égal_, _le même_; Ger. _gleich_, _egal_, _genau so_.

=Erase= or =Annul=. Sign _Wrong_ and _Wipe out_. See _Rub it out_.

Fr. _effacer_; Ger. _auslöschen_, _ausstreichen_.

=Escape.= See _Free_.

=Even= or =Same=. See _Equal_.

=Evening.= Sign _Night_ and _Little of_. (C) See _Early evening_.

Fr. _le soir_; Ger. _der Abend_.

=Ever.= See _Always_.

=Evil= or =Sin=. Sign _Work_ and _Bad_.

=Evil Eye.= Close all fingers of right hand, except index and little finger; to point these at any one means “You have the Evil Eye.” In Italy this is an insult. (Pop.) In France it means “Shame on you,” or “I put you to shame.” (Pop.)

Fr. _la main à corne_; Ger. _das Hexenauge_.

=Except= or =Unless=. See _But_.

=Excessive=, =Too much=, =Unjust=, =Too= (Extremely, piled up). With right palm down, make a succession of curves, marking stages each higher than the last, beginning very low; then finish by swinging both hands, palm down, away up and forward. (Sheeaka.) Or sign _Heap_. Sometimes use _Enough_.

Fr. _excessif_, _trop_; Ger. _übermässig_, _zu viel_.

=Exchange.= See _Trade_.

=Excite=, =Agitate= (Heart flutters). Sign _Heart_, then hold the 5 hand near the heart, back to right, pointing upward; raise it a foot shaking the fingers. The Blackfeet use this for _Glad_, and in most cases among the Cheyennes it implies pleasant excitement.

Fr. _exciter_; Ger. _aufregen_.

=Excuse.= See _Wipe out_.

=Exist.= See _Be_.

=Expect.= See _Hope_.

=Explain.= See _Describe_.

=Exterminate=, =Annihilate=, =Crush=, =Destroy=, etc. (Crushed and wiped out). Drop flat right on flat left, palm to palm, grind them together, then brush the right over the left tips, to front and beyond. Compare _Wipe out_.

Fr. _exterminer_; Ger. _vernichten_.

F

=Face.= Sweep the flat right hand, palm in, across the face and down. This is sometimes used for _Person_.

Fr. _la figure_; Ger. _das Gesicht_.

=Fade.= See _Melt_.

=Faint.= Signs for _Die_ and _Recover_.

Fr. _s’évanouir_, _faible_, _épuisé_; Ger. _ohnmächtig werden_,
_schwach_.

=Fall= or =Tumble=. The right flat hand in front of breast, back up, swept briskly out, _forward_ up and down, to rest palm up. Compare _Another_ and _Lie Down_.

Fr. _tomber_; Ger. _hinfallen_.

=Fall.= See _Autumn_.

=Fall= (Of water). Sign _River_ or _Creek_, then hold out flat left, back out, and push flat right over it, bending right fingers over far edge, making them tremble.

Fr. _la cataracte_; Ger. _der Wasserfall_.

=Fail=, that is, to lack success. See _Cannot_.

=Fail= (In business). Sign _Work_, _Backward_. (Blackfoot.) The _Backward_ is indicated by holding the flat left well forward, drawing the flat right back in jumps.

Fr. _faire faillite_; Ger. _bankerott werden_.

=False.= See _Lie_.

=Fame.= See _Glory_.

=Famous= (Standing on a hill). Sign _Hill_, then over that hold right G, palm forward, index just above left thumb. Or, sign _Chief_ and _Brave_.

Fr. _fameux_, _célèbre_; Ger. _berühmt_.

=Far object=, =Distant= or =Far forward=, =Over there=. Move the G hand forward and upward in a long slow arch, finishing at arm’s length with down curve.

=Far= (In general). Flat right hand curved, pointing to left, back forward, pushed out and up at arm’s length. Compare _Close_.

Fr. _loin_; Ger. _entfernt_.

=Farm.= Sign _Land_ and _Planting_.

Fr. _la ferme_; Ger. _der Pachthof_.

=Farmer.= Sign _Corn_ and _Chief_.

Fr. _le fermier_; Ger. _der Ackerbauer_.

=Fast=, =Quick=, =Rapid=, or =Swift= (Pass by). Hold out the flat left hand, back to left. Bring the flat right hand, back to right, several inches in rear of and slightly to right of left, pointing to front and downward; carry right hand swiftly past left and close to it, and as it passes, by wrist action, raise the hand so that fingers will point upward and in front, making a curve; at the same time, draw back the left a little.

Fr. _rapide_, _vite_; Ger. _schnell_.

=Fat= (Shape of a fat animal’s hips). Hold the fists out side by side, thumb to thumb, then swing them apart in two curves, up, out, down, and a little forward. Compare _Done_ and _Break_.

Fr. _gras_; Ger. _fett_.

=Fat= or =Grease=. See _Oil_.

=Father= (Nurse, male). With compressed right hand, pluck at the right breast two or three times, as though drawing out milk. Sometimes add _Male_. Compare _Mother_.

Fr. _le père_; Ger. _der Vater_.

=Father-in-law.= Sign _Brother-in-law_, _Old_, and _Man_.

=Fault-finding= (Striking, knocking). With flat right hand, arm at full length, make a succession of short chops down. This is fault-finding with another. For “fault-finding with me” chop toward the breast. (Sheeaka.) See _Abuse_, _Chop_, and _By itself_. The Cheyennes use _You_, _All time_, _Scold_.

Fr. _blâmer_, _censurer_; Ger. _das Tadeln_.

=Fear=, =Cowardice=, =Coward=. The head stooped down and the right arm thrown up, palm out, as though to ward off danger. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes understand, but prefer _Woman_, _Heart_. See _Afraid_.

Fr. _la peur_; Ger. _die Furcht_.

=Feather= (Small). Pluck an imaginary feather from left arm with index finger and thumb of right hand and blow it away from the mouth with one puff, at same time opening the finger and thumb to let it go.

=Feather=, i.e., =Quill Feather=. Sign _Wing_, then make as though pulling out and holding up _One_ feather.

Fr. _la plume_; Ger. _die Feder_.

=Feel= (That is, heart feels). Place the tip of the middle finger, others extended and lifted, against the heart; then draw it up a little way. (D)

Fr. _sentir_; Ger. _empfinden_.

=Feel= or =Touch= (to touch). The hand as above, but pushed forward and moved a little from side to side. (Sheeaka.) See _Hot_.

=Feel= or =Touch=. Hold out left flat hand, back up; press tip of right flat hand on it at various places. Compare _At_.

Fr. _toucher_; Ger. _tasten_, _berühren_.

=Female= or =Woman=. Draw the flat right hand, palm in close to the side of the head, finger tips about on line with the top of head; lower the hand, at the same time curving fingers as though combing with them the hair over ears and cheeks; finish with a snap at line of shoulders. Two hands are used in the north. Compare _Comb_. For _White woman_ indicate an immense hat. (Sheeaka.)

Fr. _la femme_; Ger. _das Weib_.

=Fetch.= See _Bring_.

=Few.= See _Small_.

=Fight= or =War=. Hold loosely clenched A hands well out in front of body, thumbs toward body, about height of shoulders and about three inches apart; bring right hand in toward body few inches, at same time move left out about same distance; then carry right out and bring left in, repeating these two or three times, making them by wrist and elbow action. This is a fight of many; for a fight of two, use the G fingers same way. In old days, according to Father Isadore, the signal for _Battle_ was a handful of dust thrown in the air. The gesture of doing this came to mean _Fight_.

Fr. _le combat_, _la guerre_; Ger. _der Streit_, _der Krieg_.

=Find.= Sign _Look_ around here and there, then shoot out the V hand and pick up an imaginary something with finger and thumb. Compare _Choose_ and _Hunt_.

Fr. _trouver_; Ger. _finden_.

=Fingers crossed=, =To claim Sanctuary=. Also called _Bar up_, _King’s X_, _King’s Cross_, _Pax_, _Truce_, _Fins_, _Fines_, etc. Hold up right hand with first and second fingers crossed. This means “I claim privilege, what I do now is outside the game.” (Universal in our schools and probably very ancient.)

Fr. _être exempt_; Ger. _die Immunität_, _verschont sein_.

=Finish.= Hold out flat left, palm up; rub flat right on it, palm down, making two sunwise circles. Also use _Done_.

=Fire= (Blaze, flaring up with smoke). Hold the right hand down and forward at arm’s length, back in front of the body; fingers hooked so the tip of thumb is over the nails of first three fingers and holds them down; raise the hand six inches and spring the fingers upward, free, separate, and straight. Do this twice. Compare _Aurora_.

Fr. _le feu_; Ger. _das Feuer_.

=Fire, Spark of.= Hold up right thumb and index as though holding something and blow it steadily; add _Fire_ if needed for clearness. Compare _Feather_ (small).

Fr. _l’étincelle_; Ger. _der Funke_.

=Fire=, =Set it afire=. Make the motion of striking a match on the side of the thigh and thrusting it forward.

Fr. _allumer_; Ger. _anzünden_.

=Fire off=, =Shoot=, or =Gun-Fire= (Blaze shooting forward). Right hand in front of right shoulder; throw palm forward six inches and at same time straighten and spread all fingers with a jerk. Some add a hand clap or many for _Volley firing_.

Fr. _décharger_, _faire feu sur_, _tirer_; Ger. _schiessen_,
_abfeuern_.

=First= (Of all, number one). Hold up left 5 hand, palm to right; push it forward, then tap the little finger with the right G. (Sheeaka. A Sioux sign, but understood by Cheyennes.) Compare _Last_ and _Guide_.

=First.= Sign _Ahead_.

Fr. _le premier_; Ger. _der Erste_.

=Fish.= Make sign for _Water_; then hold flat right hand, back to right, in front of right shoulder, elbow high; and move the hand sinuously forward. Often omit _Water_. Compare _Snake_.

Fr. _le poisson_; Ger. _der Fisch_.

=Fisher= or =Pekan=. Sign _Marten_ and _Big_ (suggested, not established).

Fr. _le pékan_; Ger. _der kanadische Marder_.

=Fix.= Lay low edge of flat right hand on upper edge of flat left near thumb base. Push right forward and down, turning left back up. (C) Or, sign _Work_ and _All right_. Compare _Mend_, _Council_, and _Law_.

Fr. _ajuster_, _arranger_; Ger. _herrichten_, _in Ordnung machen_.

=Fix=, =In a Fix=. See _Quandary_.

=Flag.= Hold flat right well out, back to right. Lay left G on wrist of right. Wave right sidewise.

Fr. _le drapeau_; Ger. _die Flagge_.

=Flat.= See _Prairie_.

=Flesh.= See _Meat_.

=Float.= Flat left hand, back up; place flat right on it, palm down, and move both to right as on waves. (C) Understood by Cheyennes.

Fr. _flotter_; Ger. _oben auf schwimmen_, _auf dem Wasser treiben_.

=Flood.= Indicate source of _Water_, then hold up both flat hands, backs up, side by side, waist high; raise them neck high and sign _Charge_. Omit _Charge_ unless needed.

Fr. _l’inondation_; Ger. _die Flut_.

=Flour.= Sign _Bread_ and _Powder_.

Fr. _la farine_; Ger. _das Mehl_.

=Flower=, =Bloom=, or =Blossom=. Sign _Grass_, but higher; then clasp right index and thumb over left ditto, others closed; then turn the hands so the little fingers touch and the thumbs point up. (C)

=Flower.= Sign _Grow_; hold both compressed hands together in front, pointing up, backs out; spring them out into 5 hands, forming a circle pointing up.

=Fly= (The insect). Sign _Bird_, _Small_; then point here and there on the arm anywhere. Sometimes omit _Small_.

Fr. _la mouche_; Ger. _die Fliege_.

=Fly= (To). With flat hands held near shoulders simulate wings, beating exactly as in _Bird_, but move the hands forward a foot or more horizontally. Compare _Bird_.

Fr. _voler_; Ger. _fliegen_.

=Fog= (Water, peep through). Sign _Water_ and hold the 5 hands, fingers crossed, in front of the eyes. (C) The Cheyennes understand this, but prefer the next:

=Fog= (Mud in the sky). Sign _Turtle_, then raise both 5 hands, palms forward, from the horizon up high; then spread them out. This expresses “turtles in the sky”; probably because the sky is clouded as is the water when the turtle moves in it.

Fr. _le brouillard_; Ger. _der Nebel_.

=Follow= or =Chase=. Left G hand pointing nearly up, moved ahead and variously pursued six inches behind by right G hand. Sheeaka used his thumbs for this.

Fr. _suivre_; Ger. _folgen_, _nachlaufen_.

=Fond=, =Fondness=, =Love=, =Affection=, =Regard=, etc. (Pressed to the heart). Cross wrists of A hands, backs out, over the heart, right nearest body, few inches from it; draw both against the body and bend the head over them. With one hand it is _Like_; with two hands, _Love_. (Blackfoot.) Compare _Blanket_.

Fr. _affectueux_; Ger. _zärtlich_, _liebevoll_.

=Food.= See _Eat_.

=Fool, Do you take me for a.= With the right G index, draw down the lower eyelid a little; as though to say, “Can you see any green there?” (Pop.)

Fr. _le sot, me croyez vous bête?_ Ger. _der Narr, denken Sie ich
bin dumm?_

=Foolish.= See _Crazy_.

=Foolish= or =Unwise=. Sign _Crazy_ and _Little of_.

Fr. _imbécile_; Ger. _närrisch_.

=Football signs.= See page 233.

=Footprints= (Visible walk). Sign for _Walk_ and for _See_ with the fingers pointed down. This is _Human tracks_; for _Horse tracks_, sign _Walk_ with the index and thumb of each hand in a three-quarter circle, other fingers closed, and then add _See_ as here.

Fr. _les empreintes des pieds_; Ger. _die Fusztapfen_.

=Footrace.= Sign _Walk_ quickly, and _Race_.

Fr. _la course à pied_; Ger. _der Wettlauf_.

=For= (Giving to). Throw the flat right hand forward and palm down, slowly toward the object. Compare _Stop_, _Give_, and _Wait_.

=For.= Sometimes use _Belongs_. Hold out the two G hands nearly back up, a foot apart; swing them together till the G tips are about two inches apart. (Sheeaka.)

=For.= Lightly close the right as though it held some object, push it forward and upward, back to right. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _pour_; Ger. _für_.

=Forbid.= See _Defend_.

=Forest=, =Timber=, or =Woods=. Hold both forearms upright, with all the fingers much spread, meaning _Trees_, the right hand nearest the body, its back against the palm of left; then separate them, drawing right hand toward the body, moving the left away and upward in a curve. See _Tree_.

Fr. _la forêt_; Ger. _der Wald_.

=Forever.= See _Always_.

=Forgive.= See _Excuse_.

=Forget= or =Forgot= (Swept from my brain). Touch the forehead with the right N finger. Shake the head and motion as though to brush away an imaginary fly from near the nose. (Sheeaka and Pop.) See _Remember not_.

=Forget= or =Forgot=. Clap right hand down on left (for surprise); lay right G, palm forward, on forehead, and add _Hid_.

Fr. _oublier_; Ger. _vergessen_.

=Forward= (In space). See _Ahead_.

=Forward= (In time). See _Future_.

=Found it.= Sign _I Saw_, then reach forward and with index and thumb pick up an imaginary object. Compare _Choose_.

=Found it.= At a distance, hold both hands high above the head, fingers closed, thumbs pointing toward each other. (Pop.)

Fr. _je l’ai trouvé_; Ger. _ich habe es gefunden_.

=Found out=, i.e., =You are found out=. Point forefinger at the person. (Sheeaka.) Or sign _You_, _I_, _Understand_.

Fr. _démasqué_; Ger. _ertappt_.

=Four-foot.= See _Animal_.

=Fox.= Indicate the size of animal and bushy tail.

Fr. _le renard_; Ger. _der Fuchs_.

=Free=, =Escape=, =Safe=, =Save=, =Relief=, =Permit=, =Turn loose= (Unbinding). S hands crossed at wrists. With an effort, break the imaginary bonds and throw the hands apart, turning palm sides up. Sometimes add _Go_. See _Pardon_.

=Free=, =Wild=, or =Free of Incumbrance= (Cut loose). Hold flat right hand in front of breast, fingers forward, back down; move by wrist action sharply to left a few inches; then jerk back to place two or three times as though cutting something loose. Compare _Chop_ and _Wild Animal_.

Fr. _libre_; Ger. _frei_.

=Freeze over=, =Form ice=. Sign for _Cold_, _Water_, then raise and move till the flat hands are touching in front, side by side, backs up and at arm’s length. (C) See _Ice_.

Fr. _geler_; Ger. _gefrieren_.

=Friend=, =Friendship=, or =Chum= (Brothers growing up together). Hold right N hand in front of neck, palm forward, pointing up; raise it head high, slightly advancing it. _Alliance_ is sometimes used, or even _Peace_.

Fr. _l’ami_; Ger. _der Freund_.

=Frog= (Water hopper). _Water_; then with compressed right hand make long hops forward.

Fr. _la grenouille_; Ger. _der Frosch_.

=From.= Touch digit of right G hand to right shoulder, then throw it in a long sweep up and forward. Sometimes Indians use flat hand for this.

Fr. _de_; Ger. _von_.

=Frost.= Sign, _Cold_, _White_, and _Strong_.

Fr. _la gelée_; Ger. _der Frost_.

=Fruit.= Sign _Tree_, then make a ring of right index and thumb, others closed, and place it here and there in the branches, and add _Eat_. Compare _Berry_, _Leaf_, and _Money_.

Fr. _le fruit_; Ger. _die Frucht_.

=Full.= See _Enough_.

=Future= (Time ahead). Make the signs for _Time_ and _Far ahead_. See also _Will_.

Fr. _futur_, _l’avenir_; Ger. _zukünftig_, _die Zukunft_.

G

=Gallop.= Sign _Ride_, then hold out flat hands, palm to palm, right in advance; work them up and down together, the tips describing vertical curves. Compare _Fast_ and _Work_.

Fr. _galoper_; Ger. _galoppieren_.

=Gamble.= Hold the hands out level, six inches apart; swing to left and right simultaneously, in easy curves down and up, keeping them near each other as though swinging a tom tom. Compare _Drive_ and _Herd_.

Fr. _jouer_; Ger. _spielen_.

=Gap=, =Gorge=, or =Mountain Pass=. Sign _Mountains_, then hold out left L hand, thumb pointing to left and upward, pass flat right between, touching at bottom.

Fr. _le défilé_; Ger. _die Kluft_, _die Schlucht_.

=Garden.= Strike down with right G as in _Here_, but in several directions, then add _Plant_ and _Eat_.

Fr. _le jardin_; Ger. _der Garten_.

=Gather.= See _Together_.

=Generous.= Sign _Heart_ and _Big_; or, _Heart_, _Pities_.

Fr. _généreux_; Ger. _groszmütig_, _freigiebig_.

=Gentle.= See _Kind_.

=Gently.= See _Easy_.

=Get= or =Obtain= (That is, he gets, or obtains). Reach out left hand, back up; then with right hand, grasp something on top of it; then close and draw back the right. If it is the first person who _gets_, finish by drawing the hand toward oneself. Sometimes omit left hand.

Fr. _obtenir_; Ger. _erlangen_, _erhalten_.

=Get well.= See _Recover_.

=Ghost=, =Soul=, or =Spirit.= Bring right G hand in front of centre of body, pointing down; then draw it upward, as though drawing the forefinger out of the mouth, upward and to the front and at the same time exhale a breath. (Scott.) The Cheyennes sign _Big eyes_ (as in Owl), and shaking the hands at the same time. See _Spirit_.

Fr. _l’esprit_; Ger. _der Geist_.

=Gift.= Hold left hand, hollow up; with right hand pick an imaginary object out of the left; carry it forward, at the same time turning right hand flat, palm up, and fingers pointing down and forward. Or, sign _Give_ and _Free_ (2nd).

Fr. _le cadeau_; Ger. _das Geschenk_.

=Girl= (Woman sprout). Sign _Female_, _Young_.

Fr. _la fille_; Ger. _das Mädchen_.

=Give.= Hold out flat right, back to right, shoulder high; swing it out and down.

Fr. _donner_; Ger. _geben_.

=Give you.= Swing the hand from the person giving toward you. This, with the sign below, shows the beginning of a conjugation.

=Give me.= Bring the flat right hand well out in front of body, about height of neck, back of hand nearly to left, lower edge nearest to body, pointing upward; draw the hand in toward the body and a little down; at the same time, bend the hand and the wrist so the fingers touch the chest. Compare _Tell me_ and _Half-Breed_.

Fr. _donnez moi_; Ger. _geben Sie mir_.

=Give it up.= See _Abandon_.

=Give up=, =Lose hope=, or =Discouraged=. See _Sorrow_.

=Glad=, =Pleasant=, =Happy=, or =Merry= (Sunshine in the heart). Sign _Heart_ and _Day_.

Fr. _heureux_; Ger. _froh_, _glücklich_.

=Glitter= or =Shining= (The mirror signal). Hold out the L hand with index pointing forward, back up. Rotate with a flash, or jerk so the thumb is upright and back to its original pose. Do this once or twice. See _Courting_ and _Sweetheart_.

Fr. _étinceler_; Ger. _glitzern_.

=Gloomy=, =Cross=, or =Sullen= (Clouds close). Sign _Clouds_, then draw them down near head. (C) Or, sign _Thinking_ and _Bad_. Compare _Cross_ and _Angry_.

Fr. _sombre_; Ger. _finster_, _trübe_.

=Glory= or =Fame=. Sign _All_, _Good_, _Know_. See _Famous_.

Fr. _la gloire_; Ger. _der Ruhm_.

=Glow=, =Splendor=, =Wonderful= (Spread in the sky). Hold up both 5 hands, palms forward, pointing up, at arm’s length, nearly level; raise up very high and at the same time spread widely. A much-used and very plastic sign. May sometimes mean _Weather_.

Fr. _la splendeur_; Ger. _das Glühen_, _die Pracht_.

=Go=, =Went=, or =Travel=. Hold flat right hand, back to right, breast high, pointing to front and down; swing it up and out till the fingers point forward and upward. Often combined with _Arrive there_.

Fr. _aller_; Ger. _gehen_.

=Going.= Hold up right G, palm forward; move it forward in short pushes.

Fr. _allant_; Ger. _gehend_.

=Go away=, =Go ahead=, =Go farther= (Imperative). Hold flat right hand in front of body, palm forward, fingers upright; move the hand to front in a slight curve to right; repeat once or twice. See _Begin_.

Fr. _allez!_ Ger. _gehen Sie!_

=Goat.= Sign _Horns_, with the straight G fingers on each side of head, and _Beard_. Sometimes omit _Horns_, signing only _Beard_.

Fr. _la chèvre_; Ger. _die Ziege_.

=God= (The Great Mystery). Sign _Medicine_ and _Great_.

Fr. _Dieu_; Ger. _Gott_.

=Gold.= Sign _Money_ and _Yellow_, or _Hard_ and _Yellow_.

For _Gold coin_ sign, _Chief_, _Money_.

Fr. _l’or_; Ger. _das Gold_.

=Gone.= See _Absent_.

=Good=, =All right=, =Level=, =Fair=, =Just= (Level with the heart). Hold the flat extended right hand, back up, level, touching the left breast; swing the hand briskly out to front and slightly up in a curve.

Fr. _bon_; Ger. _gut_.

=Good-bye.= Hold right hand flat, palm down, pointing forward horizontally at height of head and shake the hand up and down by wrist action. A whiteman’s sign recently adopted by Indians.

Fr. _adieu_, _au revoir_; Ger. _lebe wohl!_

=Good-morning.= Sign _Day_ and _Good_.

Fr. _bonjour_; Ger. _guten Morgen_.

=Goose.= Sign _Bird_, moving the wing hands slowly; hold both flat hands low, side by side, a little apart, backs up; push them down sharply a few inches, for flat feet. Sometimes also make the _honk_ sound.

Fr. _l’oie_; Ger. _die Gans_.

=Gorge.= See _Gap_.

=Gossip.= See _Telltale_.

=Grain=, of any kind. Hold both hands hollow together, as in _Bowl_; shake, then point to the hollow of the left with right G. (Sheeaka.) The exact kind must be specified. In Cheyenne, _Wheat_ is _Bread_ and _Sow_; _Oats_ is _Horse_, _Eat_, _Sow_.

Fr. _le grain_; Ger. _das Getreide_.

=Grandchild.= With the flat right, pat one’s own back where the baby is carried. Among the Cheyennes, only the grandmother uses this.

=Grand Coup.= See _Count Coup_.

=Grandfather.= Sign _Old_ and _Father_.

=Grandfather= (Father once removed). Sign _Father_, then hold curved left hand in front of body, palm in; and on outer side make the sign _Father_ again. For _Great grandfather_, repeat the sign for _Father_ once more. For _Ancestors_, many times. (Crow signs given me by La Forge.)

Fr. _le grandpère_; Ger. _der Groszvater_.

=Grandmother.= As above, but use _Mother_ sign. (LaF.)

=Grandmother.= Sign _Old_, _Mother_.

Fr. _la grand-mère_; Ger. _die Groszmutter_.

=Grasp.= See _Keep_.

=Grass.= Hold both hands low, palms up; turn all fingers upward straight and swing hands slightly apart. For _Grass growing_, raise the hands a little. Compare _Children_.

Fr. _l’herbe_, _le gazon_; Ger. _das Gras_, _der Rasen_.

=Gratitude.= Use _Thank you_ sign. Or else raise the flat right hand, palm forward and face high; draw it downward in a sweep several times as though stroking the other person’s breast. For emphasis use both hands.

Fr. _la reconnaissance_; Ger. _die Dankbarkeit_.

=Grave.= Hold out both flat hands, thumbs up, six inches apart, pointing level forward; draw them back level to you, sign _Die_; then hold out left flat hand as before and slap on it two or three times with the flat right, for _cover up_.

Fr. _le tombeau_; Ger. _das Grab_.

=Great.= Hold out the slightly curved 5 hands in front of breast, few inches apart, palms toward each other, pointing to front; separate hands the right to the right and up a little and near the body; the left to the left and down a little and farther away. Compare _Big_ and _Wide_. Sometimes use _Much_ or _High_.

Fr. _grand_; Ger. _grosz_.

=Greater than.= Sign _Ahead_, _Great_. So also _Less than_ would be _Behind_, _Small_.

Fr. _plus grand que_; Ger. _gröszer als_.

=Grief.= See _Sorrow_.

=Grieve.= Sign _Heart_, _Down_. See _Give up_ and _Mourn_.

Fr. _se chagriner_, _pleurer_; Ger. _trauern_.

=Ground.= See _Land_.

=Grouse= or =Prairie Chicken=. Sign _Bird_ and show size; then with right hand low, palm up, fingers closed except first curved up like neck, imitate forward walking. (Sioux.) Sign _Bird_ then indicate fast wing beats and whirring. (Blackfoot.) Sign _Bird_ and _Tail cut off_. (Cheyenne.)

Fr. _la gelinotte_; Ger. _das Waldhuhn_.

=Grow=, =Become=, or =Turn into=. Hold right G hand low, back down, index finger pointing upward, in front of body; raise the hand by gentle jerks.

Fr. _pousser_, _croître_, _devenir_; Ger. _wachsen_, _werden_.

=Guide= (Verb). (Show trail and Lead.) Point with right index forward and downward; then add _Lead_. (Sheeaka.)

Fr. _conduire_; Ger. _führen_, _leiten_.

=Guide= (Noun). Hold up left 5 hand, little finger forward, and ahead of the right G, all moved forward in easy swings.

Fr. _le guide_; Ger. _der Führer_.

=Gun.= Make the motion of holding and aiming a gun; then add _Fire-off_. For _Rifle_, add the working of the lever.

Fr. _le fusil_, _la carabine_; Ger. _das Gewehr_.

=Gun=, i.e., _Shot-gun_, sign _Gun_, then clasp the hands twice and hold up two fingers. See _Revolver_.

Fr. _le fusil de chasse_; Ger. _die Flinte_.

=Gun-fire.= See _Fire_.

=Gun-powder.= Sign _Gun_ and _Powder_.

Fr. _la poudre à canon_; Ger. _das Schiesspulver_.

H

=Habit= (Thought bound). With G forefinger draw a small circle on forehead, then sign _Prisoner_. (D)

=Habit= (Road smoothed by repeated strokes). Sweep the flat hands, palms down, back and forth; then strike three times down with the right G. (Sheeaka.) Or sign _Way_ and _Keep_. (Seger.)

=Habit= (Long time the same). Hold out left G, draw right G back from left knuckles to shoulder; add _Same_.

Fr. _l’habitude_; Ger. _die Gewohnheit_.

=Hail.= Sign _Rain_, _Cold_, and with curved right index on thumb indicate size of stones.

Fr. _la grêle_; Ger. _der Hagel_.

=Hair= (Of animal). Hold out left forearm horizontally in front of body and sweep the curved right 5 hand, palm up, along it from elbow to wrist. For _Human hair_, touch one’s own hair. Compare _Wing_.

Fr. _le poil_; Ger. _der Pelz_.

=Half.= Hold left flat hand in front of breast, back out. Lay the lower edge of right flat hand on upper edge of left index, in middle, and jerk it toward the tips of left. Sometimes the right hand alone is used edge downward, drawn back and down as though its under side were cutting something. Compare _Part_.

Fr. _le demi_, _la moitié_; Ger. _die Hälfte_.

=Half-breed.= With flat right hand pointing up, little finger next middle of the breast, palm to right, halve the body down breast, swing it far to left, return to centre, then swing far to right and give the tribal sign for each half. Or, give the first sign only; that is, the hand cutting in the middle.

Fr. _le métis_; Ger. _der Mischling_.

=Halt= or =Stop=. Hold the right flat hand, palm outward and downward, in front of the body, pointing upward and to front, hand about height of shoulders; move the hand sharply to front and downward, stopping it suddenly. Sometimes merely raise the hand flat forward.

This means also _Keep quiet_, _Wait a moment_, etc., when made gently. “This sign is world wide. In a journey around the world, I have used it in every country visited and found it instantly recognized. I saw a train stopped by it in the Himalayas, also jinrikishas stopped in Java, Singapore, Saigon, Canton, Hong Kong, Nagasaki, and Manila.” (Scott.)

Fr. _Halte!_ Ger. _Halt!_

=Halve.= Same as _Half_; but jerk one part to right and one to left. (C)

Fr. _couper ou diviser en deux_; Ger. _halbieren_.

For _One-Quarter_, lay the “knife hand” at last joint of left index; for _Three-Quarters_, near base; see also _Quarter_.

Fr. _le quart_; Ger. _das Viertel_.

=Handsome.= See _Beautiful_.

=Hang= (To be executed). Swing the right L hand over the head down to the neck, palm in; close the thumb and index, then draw it up to height of head, index pointing down. This is done in two graceful sweeps.

Fr. _pendre_; Ger. _hängen_.

=Hang.= Hang right G index like a hook on straight left G index.

Fr. _accrocher_; Ger. _aufhängen_.

=Hanker.= See _Want_.

=Happen.= See _Luck_.

=Happy.= See _Glad_.

=Happy Hunting Ground.= Sign _Die_, _Beyond_, and _Dwell_.

Fr. _les Champs Elysées des Indiens_; Ger. _die seligen Jagdgefilde_.

=Hard= (Like rock). Hold out the left hand flat, edge down, and strike the palm with the knuckles of the right two or three times.

Fr. _dur_; Ger. _hart_.

=Hat= (Head cover). Bring the L right hand, back outward, in front, close to, and a little above the head; lower the hand until thumb and index are about opposite the eyes; spread thumb and index, passing down close to forehead.

Fr. _le chapeau_; Ger. _der Hut_.

=Hatchet.= See _Axe_.

=Hate.= Hold up both hands opposite left side of face in pose for _Fire-off_, back of each to its side; spring both out as in _Fire-off_, to left side, turning the left very little, so that it shoots forward; the right shoots to the left. Compare _Abandon_ and _Scorn_; also _Defiance_. Sheeaka used only _Defiance_ sign.

Fr. _détester_; Ger. _hassen_.

=Have= (To possess). See _Possession_.

=Have= to, =Bound= to, =Must=, =Obliged= to, =Compelled= to (Bound down). Sign _Prisoner_ and _Work_. Or, _That_, _Work_, _Strong_.

Fr. _être obligé_; Ger. _müssen_.

=Hawk.= First make _Bird_ sign, then imitate the seizing of the prey with both feet hawk-fashion, by means of both hands placed in front of body opposite neck, palms outward, make grasping motion forward. (Scott.) Or sign _Bird_ and with curved G indicate bill. See _Eagle_.

Fr. _le faucon_; Ger. _der Habicht_.

=He.= Make the sign _Male_; or point with the thumb, other fingers closed.

Fr. _il_; Ger. _er_.

=Headache.= Touch head; then hold curved flat hand near and flirt the fingers from behind the thumb two or three times to show the throbbing.

Fr. _le mal de tête_; Ger. _das Kopfweh_.

=Healthy.= See _Well_.

=Heap= or =Very Much=. With curved hands show shape, beginning at the lowest points. Compare _Many_, _Mound_, and _Much_.

Fr. _l’amas_, _le tas_; Ger. _der Haufe(n)_.

=Hear.= Move the right G hand (pointed forward) from behind the right ear, past the ear and forward. Compare _Listen_ and _Indian Nez Percé_.

Fr. _entendre_; Ger. _hören_.

=Heart.= Bring the compressed right hand against the left breast, over heart and pointing downward.

Fr. _le coeur_; Ger. _das Herz_.

=Heat.= See _Hot_.

=Heaven.= Simply point up with right G, back to right and head high. Compare _Heavens_ and _Happy Hunting Ground_; also, _Tall_.

Fr. _le paradis_; Ger. _der Himmel_, _das Paradies_.

=Heavens=, =Skies=, or =Sky=. Hold both flat hands palms down, tips touching, over and in front of the head; sweep them down sidewise in outline of the dome. Compare _Clouds_, _Carriage_, _Hot Weather_.

Fr. _le ciel_; Ger. _der Himmel_.

=Heavy= (Cannot hold up). Hold flat hands, a few inches apart, at same level, backs down, in front of body and pointing to front. Raise them slightly and let them drop several inches, finishing low. Compare _Light_.

Fr. _lourd_; Ger. _schwer_.

=Help.= Hold left forearm horizontally in front of body, hand A, and place flat right hand under left forearm and lift it slightly. (Sheeaka; borrowed from the Deaf.) Or, sign _Work_ and _With_.

Fr. _aider_; Ger. _helfen_.

=Her.= See _Possession_.

=Herd of Animals.= Hold out left 5 fingers a little curved, level, far advanced, shoulder high, backs up and out; moved forward and a little down together. For _Herd grazing_ hold right 5 over left 5 wrist; draw right back toward body in a slight arc up and down.

Fr. _le troupeau_; Ger. _die Herde_.

=Herd= (Verb). See _Drive_.

=Here= (This spot). Swing the right G, back up, from pointing up, to forward and down; then stab toward the ground two or three times. Compare _Down_, _Earth_, _Place_.

Fr. _ici_; Ger. _hier_.

=He who.= See _Doer_.

=Hide=, =To Cache=, =Conceal=, or =Lose=. Swing the flat or else compressed right hand, palm down, under the flat left hand held in front, palm down; the left hand rests on the right at end of sign. (Sheeaka.) Sometimes add _Hush_. Compare _Enter_ and _Night_.

Fr. _cacher_; Ger. _verstecken_.

=Hide= (Skin). Hold extended left hand, back up, in front of body, and with the right thumb and forefinger gather up, with a pinch, the loose skin on the back of left hand. Sometimes sign _Robe_.

Fr. _la peau_; Ger. _das Fell_.

=High= or =Height=. Hold the flat right hand, back nearly up, pointing to front, in front of right shoulder; raise the hand according to the height intended. If it refers to humans, hold the right hand (compressed or G) vertically pointing upward. (C) To show height of small objects or animals, hold the flat left, palm up, under right. See _Tall_.

Fr. _haut_; Ger. _hoch_.

=Higher.= See _Superior_.

=Hill=, =Bluff=, or =Butte=. Push right A fist, back out, straight up, face high. For plural use both hands moved alternately up and down at different places. Compare _Ridge_, _Lump_, and _Mountain_.

Fr. _la colline_; Ger. _der Hügel_.

=His.= See _Possession_.

=History= or =Story= (Pictures of the past). Hold up flat left, palm forward, and sketch on palm with right G; then sign _Past_. (C) Or, Sign _Long_, _Past_, _Tell me_.

Fr. _l’histoire_; Ger. _die Geschichte_.

=Hit= (To make a hit). See _Count Coup_.

=Hoax= (To wolf or beguile). Sign _I_, _Make_, _Him_, _Wolf_. (Seger.)

Fr. _mystifier_; Ger. _jemandem etwas aufbinden_.

=Hog= or =Pig=. Indicate size, then with a circle of two thumbs and two index fingers in front of mouth show muzzle; last, with flat right hand, or flat fist back up, make a snout and root. Usually give only the last sign.

Fr. _le cochon_; Ger. _das Schwein_.

=Hold= (to hold a prisoner). Arms in a level circle, flat right hand inside flat left and overlapping, both palms toward you; swing to right and left. Compare _Defend_, _Keep_, and _Corral_.

Fr. _tenir prisonnier_; Ger. _gefangen halten_.

=Hole.= Form a circle with thumbs and fingers of L hands. If need be, for clearness, hold left hand in position and pass the compressed right through the imaginary hole. Compare _Cook_ and _Boil_.

Fr. _le trou_; Ger. _das Loch_.

=Holler.= See _Yell_.

=Home.= Sign _My_, _Teepee_.

Fr. _la demeure_, _le foyer_, _le chez-soi_; Ger. _das Heim_.

=Home-sickness.= Sign _Heart_, _Want_, and _Teepee_.

Fr. _le mal du pays_; Ger. _das Heimweh_.

=Honest= (Straight walk). Point right G straight forward from near throat; push it down and up in a slight curve till it is upright, then push it forward in two or three little jerks. See also _True_.

Fr. _honnête_, _intègre_; Ger. _ehrlich_.

=Honor= (Upon my honor). With right index draw a small cross on the heart. (Pop.)

Fr. _parole d’ honneur!_ Ger. _auf Ehre!_ _bei meiner Ehre!_

=Hope.= Sign _Heart_, _Want_.

Fr. _l’espoir_; Ger. _die Hoffnung_.

=Horse.= Hold the flat left hand, back to front, before face, fingers level; move it to right; and then, for a moment, place the first and second fingers of right astride it, as in _Ride_. Some omit the last gesture. The movements of the hand indicate the height, action, and speed of the horse.

Fr. _le cheval_; Ger. _das Pferd_.

=Horseman.= Sign _Man_ and _Ride_. Or, place the V right astride of the flat left and push both to right.

Fr. _le cavalier_; Ger. _der Reiter_.

=Hot= or =Heat= (As water or iron). Hold the hand as in _Feel_; touch the middle right finger tip to tongue; reach it forward and down, as though touching a hot iron, quickly jerking it back. (A northern sign understood by Cheyennes.) The use of the middle finger is general, no doubt because it is longest.

Fr. _chaud_; Ger. _heisz_.

=Hot weather= (Rays of sun beating down). Hold the 5 hands a few inches apart, backs up, above and in front of head, pointing toward each other. Lower the hands to level of face.

Fr. _les grandes chaleurs_; Ger. _das heisze Wetter_.

=Hot= or =Sweating= (Personally). Draw right index crooked across the brow, left to right, as though to run off the sweat, others and thumb closed.

=Hotel.= See _Restaurant_.

=Hour.= See _Time_.

=House.= Indicate the double slope of the roof by flat hands, pointing nearly up and joined together at the tips. Some use only the next sign for _House_.

Fr. _la maison_; Ger. _das Haus_.

=House of logs= (Corners of a log house). Bring the hands in front of body and interlock the fingers near tips, fingers at nearly right angles and horizontal. Some add _Roof_ by joining tips of flat hands as in _House_. Compare _Basket_.

Fr. _la cabane en bois_, _la hutte_; Ger. _das Blockhaus_.

=How!= or =Ho!= The Indian salutation is sometimes used with hand salute; that is, all fingers closed except index and middle, as in _Friend_.

Fr. _Ho!_ Ger. _Grüsz Gott!_

=How?= See _Question_.

=How many?= See _Question_.

=How much?= See _Question_.

=Hundred= (Whole circle of tens). Hold up both 5 hands, palms forward, opposite right shoulder; thumbs nearly touching; swing to left and down. Precede this with _one_ for _one hundred_, _two_ for _two hundred_, etc.

Fr. _cent_; Ger. _hundert_.

=Hungry= or =Hunger= (Cuts one in two). Draw the lower edge of flat right hand, back down, across the stomach; emphasize by drawing back and forth.

Fr. _avoir faim_, _la faim_; Ger. _hungrig sein_, _der Hunger_.

=Hunt or Searching for= (In the sense of seeking for). The fingers of the right V hand brought near the eye, but pointing forward; then swing horizontally from side to side, the eye looking wherever they point. Compare _Choose_, _Find_, and _Look_. Or, shade the right eye with the right hand and swing the head. (Pop.)

Fr. _chercher_; Ger. _suchen_.

=Hunting= (With gun or bow). Hold out both G hands, one behind the other; swing in up-curves forward and sidewise, but always one behind the other.

Fr. _chasser_; Ger. _jagen_.

=Hurry=, to _Come_ or to _Go quickly_. Make the sign for _Come_ (or _Go_) three or four times, very quickly and emphatically. (Sheeaka.)

=Hurry= (Ride fast). Jump the flat hands up and down before you, quickly, palms up. Compare _Light_, which is similar, but slower.

Fr. _se dépêcher_; Ger. _eilen_.

=Husband.= Make sign _Male_ and _Marry_.

Fr. _le mari_; Ger. _der Mann_; _der Gatte_.

=Hush.= See _Silence_ and _Halt_.

=Hypocrite.= Sign _Wolf_ and _Like_. Or _Face_ and _Two_. According to Ruggles, the Paiutes sometimes use this second combination for _Liar_; the Cheyennes understand it but do not use it.

Fr. _le hypocrite_; Ger. _der Heuchler_.