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three-finger salute

three-finger salute

8.8
A hand signal made by raising three fingers to show protest or support
  • noun
translation icon : saludo de tres dedos
  • The three-finger salute has become a powerful symbol of resistance in several countries.

Examples

  • During the protest, many people raised a three-finger salute to show their support for the movement.

  • She greeted the crowd by giving a three-finger salute from the stage.

  • The protesters raised their three-finger salute in defiance.

  • During the rally, many people gave the three-finger salute.

  • During the protest, many people raised a three-finger salute to show their support for the movement.

  • She greeted the crowd by giving a three-finger salute from the stage.

  • The three-finger salute has become a powerful symbol of resistance in several countries.

Synonyms

raised fist
vsthree-finger salute
5.5

A hand held up with the fingers closed to show protest or unity

is used as a greeting or sign of unity especially in political contexts

How Many Fingers

three-finger salute
8.8
to raise a middle finger
  • Offensive
8.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

three-finger + salute

The headword is compositionally clear: 'three-finger' indicates using three fingers and 'salute' is a gesture, so a learner who knows those words can infer it denotes a greeting/gesture made with three fingers. Although specific political connotations (defiance/solidarity) may require cultural knowledge, the core physical meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

The gesture three-finger salute may come from the 'Hunger Games' books and films, where characters raise three fingers as a quiet sign of respect and goodbye. Real protesters later used the same raised three fingers to show 'defiance' and 'solidarity', so the salute now also works as a quiet 'greeting'.