front of the body; snap sharply together the tips of the first and
second fingers and the tip of thumb against the back of the left flat
hand, repeating the motion. Some omit left hand. The Blackfeet make this
from the mouth.
Fr. _mordre_; Ger. _beiszen_.
[Illustration]
=Bitter= or =Sour=. Touch tongue with tip of right G and add _Bad_.
Compare _Salt_, _Sugar_, _Taste_, _Taste bad_.
Fr. _amer_; Ger. _bitter_.
=Black.= See _Color_.
=Blackfoot.= See _Indian_.
[Illustration]
=Blackguarding= or =Reviling= (Lies from both). Hold up right V,
pointing nearly level forward, opposite right shoulder; left ditto at
left shoulder; swing them alternately at each other.
Fr. _outrager_, _insulter_; Ger. _jemanden beschimpfen_.
[Illustration]
=Blanket= or =Robe= (Wrapping about shoulder). Bring the A hands palms
toward each other, opposite and above each shoulder _near the neck_;
move the right hand to left and left to right till the wrists are
crossed, right hand nearest body. Compare _Fond_.
Fr. _la couverture_; Ger. _die Decke_.
[Illustration]
=Bless you= (Drawing from above and spreading out). Hold the flat hands
high up in front, palms forward, apart, at arm’s length. Lower them a
little and slightly push toward the person meant. (C)
Fr. _que Dieu vous bénisse_; Ger. _Gott segne dich!_
=Blessing the food.= Hold both 5 hands over the food, then add _Talk_
upward.
[Illustration]
=Blind.= Bring both flat hands, backs outward, in front of and close to
eyes, right hand nearest and both hands parallel to face; move right
hand slightly to left, left to right; then place the tips of the fingers
against closed eyes. (C)
Fr. _aveugle_; Ger. _blind_.
[Illustration]
=Blood= (A wounded buffalo bleeds at the nostrils). Raise the right V
hand so the tips of the fingers are pressed one against each nostril;
move the hand to the right and downward, giving it a tremulous motion.
Add _Red_. Some omit _Red_.
Fr. _le sang_; Ger. _das Blut_.
=Bloom= or =Blossom=. See _Flower_.
=Bluff.= See _Hill_.
[Illustration]
=Boat.= Bring the hands together hollowed, fingers straight, little
fingers joining, the thumbs somewhat apart, to represent the body of a
boat, held before the breast. Push it forward to indicate movement. Add
the motion of paddling for _Canoe_, or _Rowing_ for bigger boat. Usually
the _Boat_ sign is omitted; _Paddling_ or _Rowing_ being enough by
itself. Compare _Bowl_.
Fr. _le bateau_; Ger. _der Kahn_.
=Boil.= See _Cook_.
Fr. _bouillir_; Ger. _kochen_.
[Illustration]
=Bone.= Hold up the left hand, palm down, wrist a little bent; with
right G tap the wrist bone on outer side of left; then add _Hard_.
Fr. _l’os_; Ger. _der Knochen_.
[Illustration]
=Bonnet=, that is, _Warbonnet_. Sweep 5 hands along near each side of
head from front to back. Sometimes also sweep right 5 hand down behind
for the _Tail_.
Fr. _le bonnet de guerre_; Ger. _die Federkappe_.
[Illustration]
=Book.= Open and close the flat hands like cover of a book, then
indicate the lines of writing. Sometimes show the thickness to
distinguish it from _Letter_. Compare _Open_ and _Shut_.
Fr. _le livre_; Ger. _das Buch_.
[Illustration]
=Born=, =Birth=, or =Parturition= (Issuing from loins). Flat right in
front of and near the body, pointing downward and to front, moved
downward and outward on a curve. Compare _Dive_.
Fr. _né_; Ger. _geboren_.
=Borrow.= See _Lend_.
=Boss.= Use _Chief_.
=Both.= Sign _Or_, that is, hold up the left V, pointing forward, and
tap each tip of V, and in turn, with right G; then over left V add _All_
with right. Sometimes point to each and add _Two_. Sometimes use _All_.
Blackfeet use _Two_ and _Same_.
Fr. _tous les deux_; Ger. _beide_.
[Illustration]
=Bow= (Weapon). The left A hand held still, a little advanced, the right
A hand touches it and makes the motion of drawing the cord of the bow.
Fr. _l’arc_; Ger. _der Schiessbogen_.
[Illustration]
=Bowl= (A vessel). With curved hands side by side, fingers bent, palms
up, indicate shape. (C) Compare _Boat_. For a larger vessel, use
_Basin_.
Fr. _le bol_; Ger. _die Schale_, _die Schüssel_.
[Illustration]
=Box.= Hold out both flat hands side by side, backs up; then swing apart
and down at right angles, turning the hands at the angle so the backs
are out.
Fr. _la boîte_; Ger. _der Kasten_.
=Boy.= Sign _Man_, _Young_.
Fr. _le garçon_; Ger. _der Knabe_.
=Brag.= See _Bravado_.
[Illustration]
=Brain.= Touch forehead with N hand.
Fr. _le cerveau_; Ger. _das Gehirn_.
[Illustration]
=Brand= or =Name=. All fingers of right closed but thumb and index,
these form a “C,” which lay on the palm of flat left, pointing forward,
thumb up. Sometimes lay it on left shoulder outside. Compare _Name_.
Fr. _la marque_, _marquer avec un fer rouge_; Ger. _das Zeichen_, _das
Brandmal_, _einbrennen_.
=Bravado= or =Brag=. Sign _Fire_, _Talk_, _True_, and _No_. (C)
Fr. _la bravade_; Ger. _die Prahlerei_.
=Brave= (Strong heart). Sign _Heart_ and _Strong_.
Fr. _brave_; Ger. _mutig_, _tapfer_.
=Brave=, as an intensive. See _Very much_.
=Bread= (Making a cake). Gently clap the slightly hollow right hand over
slightly hollow left hand, then reverse so left is on right and clap
them together again; repeat.
Fr. _le pain_; Ger. _das Brot_.
[Illustration]
=Break.= Make the motion of seizing a stick, hold it horizontally with
both hands and breaking it in the middle. The thumbs finish wide apart.
Fr. _casser_, _briser_; Ger. _zerbrechen_.
=Breakfast=. Sign _Sunrise_ and _Eat_.
Fr. _le déjeuner_; Ger. _das Frühstück_.
=Breeze=. See _Wind_.
=Bribe.= Hold the hand behind the back, hollowed, open and palm up.
(Pop.)
Fr. _corrompre_; Ger. _bestechen_.
[Illustration]
=Bridge= (Lifting over water). Sign _Water_; hold out the flat hands
horizontally in front of body, pointing forward, palms up; and _Across_.
Fr. _le pont_; Ger. _die Brücke_.
=Bridle.= Like _Bit_; but raise the hand till near the eyes.
Fr. _la bride_; Ger. _der Zaum_.
[Illustration]
=Bring=, =Take=, or =Fetch=. Move the right G hand briskly well in front
or to right or left of body; draw the hand with a sweep in toward the
body, at the same time curving index finger. Compare _Come_ in which the
index is held vertically, and _Steal_.
Fr. _apporter_, _prendre_; Ger. _bringen_, _nehmen_, _holen_.
[Illustration]
=Broad= or =Wide=. Same as _Big_, but keep the hands flat and palms up.
[Illustration]
=Broad and Spreading= is the same as above but with palms down. Compare
_Prairie_.
Fr. _large_; Ger. _breit_.
=Broke= or =Dead broke=. See _Done_ (No. 2.)
=Broken down.= See _Decrepit_.
=Brook.= See _Creek_.
[Illustration]
=Brother= (Suck together). Lay nearly horizontal N of right hand on
lips; draw it away and down, then add _Male_.
Fr. _le frère_; Ger. _der Bruder_.
[Illustration]
=Brother-in-Law.= Left forearm across breast; with lower edge of flat
right, strike down past left elbow. Probably means relative on the side.
(R. B.)
Fr. _le beau-frère_; Ger. _der Schwager_.
=Bucket.= Sign _Bowl_, then indicate the handle.
Fr. _le seau_; Ger. _der Eimer_.
[Illustration]
=Buffalo= (Curved horns). Hold the curved G fingers palms toward and
close to sides of head; raise the hands slightly and carry them a little
to the front. To distinguish domestic cattle, add _Spotted_. The Navahos
reverse this; that is, with them the curved horns as above means
_Cattle_, to which they add _Beard_, to mean _Buffalo_.
Fr. _le bison_; Ger. _der Büffel_.
[Illustration]
=Bullet.= Sign _Fire off_; then grasp the forefinger of the hand with
the second finger and thumb, so that the tip of it will so extend beyond
them and represent the ball.
Fr. _la balle_; Ger. _die Kugel_.
[Illustration]
=Bunch= (Of fruit). Hold out the compressed right hand opposite throat,
fingers pointing down. Compare _Beard_.
[Illustration]
=Bunch= (A small herd grazing). Hold out curved right 5 hand, back up
and forward. See _Herd_. Sometimes use _Enclosure_.
Fr. _le troupeau_; Ger. _die Anzahl_, _die kleine Herde_.
=Burn.= Sign _Fire_ and _Wipe out_.
Fr. _brûler_; Ger. _brennen_.
=Bushes= or =Brush=. Like _Grass_, but breast high; and draw right hand
to you and left far ahead.
Fr. _la broussaille_; Ger. _das Gebüsch_.
=Busy.= Sign _Push_ and _Work_.
Fr. _occupé_; Ger. _beschäftigt_.
=But=, =Except=, =Save=, or =Unless= (Of all one pulled back). Sign
_All_, with right swung to left; then sign _One_, with left at left
side, and pull it to right side between forefinger and thumb of right.
=But.= Sign _All Go_, _One_, _Sits_.
[Illustration]
=But= (One drawn back). Point right G down, forward and to right; hold
it a second, then jerk it back four or five inches. (Hadley.)
Fr. _mais_; Ger. _aber_.
=Butte.= See _Hill_.
=Buy.= Sign _Money_ and _Trade_, making it clear who gives the money.
[Illustration]
=Buy= or =Sell= i.e., =Market=. Tap three times on side of left G index
with side of right G index. Compare, _All the time_, _Peas_, and
_While_. See _Sell_.
Fr. _acheter_; Ger. _kaufen_.
=By.= See _Beside_.
[Illustration]
=By and By= (After a little time). Hold the pinched index and thumb of
each hand as in _Time_, but half an inch apart. Or sign _Time
afterward_. Compare _Sometime_.
Fr. _plus tard_; (C) Ger. _später_.
C
=Cache.= See _Hide_.
[Illustration]
=Call=, =Attention!= =Say!= Strike the palm of the open left hand with
the tips of right fingers, then swing right G a little toward the
person.
Fr. _dites donc_; Ger. _hören Sie!_
[Illustration]
=Called= or =Named=. Lay the back of the crooked right G _on lips_,
pointing to front and left, its tip pressed against the thumb, which is
nearly straight; then move the hand upward and forward in a curve,
straightening out the index finally with a snap, pointing toward the
person or thing. Compare _Talk_ in which the action is repeated. See
also _Name_.
Fr. _appelé_; Ger. _genannt_.
=Camera.= Sign _Picture_ and _See_. Compare _Photograph_.
[Illustration]
=Camp= (Set up the lodge). Sign _Teepee_, holding the hands face high;
drop the hands together for a foot with energy.
Fr. _le camp_; Ger. _das Lager_.
[Illustration]
=Camp-fire.= Hold left hand flat, palm down, fingers a little spread;
then lay right hand fingers similarly held across at right angles, to
indicate the wood laid ready, and add the sign for _Fire_. (Sheeaka.)
Not a true Indian sign, but sufficiently descriptive for the Cheyennes
to understand it.
Fr. _le feu de camp_; Ger. _das Lagerfeuer_.
=Camp-fire Girls.= Sign _Camp-fire_, then raise the right index in a
spiral for _Smoke_.
=Camp-fire man are you?= Give the signs _Question_, _you_, _camp-fire_,
and _man_ or briefly make the _Camp-fire_ sign and look inquiringly.
Fr. _Êtes vous membre du Camp-fire Club_; Ger. _Sind Sie ein
Mitglied des Lagerfeuer Klubs?_
[Illustration]
=Can=, =Able=, or =Power=. Hold both S hands in front, elbows at sides,
thumbs up; drop the hands for six inches with a jerk. (Sheeaka and the
Blackfeet.) Sometimes use only one hand. The Cheyennes sign _Own_,
_Strong_, _Medicine_.
Fr. _pouvoir_; Ger. _können_.
=Candid= (True, clear as day and good). Sign _True_, _Day_, and _Good_.
(C)
Fr. _sincère_; Ger. _aufrichtig_.
[Illustration]
=Candle.= Hold up left G finger and with right hand sign _Fire_ on its
tip, then indicate length on left arm.
Fr. _la bougie_; Ger. _die Kerze_.
[Illustration]
=Candy-stick.= Sign _Sugar_; then on left G index held upright, show
stripes. (C)
Fr. _le bonbon_; Ger. _das Zuckerwerk_.
=Cannon.= Sign _Gun_ and _Big_.
Fr. _le canon_; Ger. _die Kanone_.
[Illustration]
=Cannot=, or =Unable=, =Fail=, =Failure= (The arrow that failed to
stick). Hold the flat left hand out in front, thumb edge up; strike the
palm of it with the forefinger of the right G hand, which then at once
rebounds and is thrown forward and down to rest on its back.
Fr. _ne pas pouvoir_, _incapable_; Ger. _nicht können_, _unfähig_.
=Canoe.= Sign _Boat_ and _Paddle_.
[Illustration]
=Canoe of birch bark.= Push forward compressed right, back down, to
represent the curved prow, then add _Paddle_.
Fr. _la pirogue_, _le canot_; Ger. _das Kanu_, der _Rindenkahn_.
[Illustration]
=Canyon= (Between hills). Hold up the fists, palms toward each other,
about six inches apart, face high; then indicate _Go between_; that is,
hold the left unchanged but thrust forward the flat right hand, palm to
left. (Blackfoot.) Compare _Between_.
Fr. _le canyon_, _le grand ravin_; Ger. _die Schluckt_.
=Cards.= Hold imaginary cards in left and deal with right hand.
Fr. _les cartes_; Ger. _die Karten_.
[Illustration]
=Caribou.= Sign _Deer_, _High_, and lay the flat right hand on forehead
so the fingers slightly spread point forward, showing the _brow shovel_.
(Blackfoot.) Sometimes omit _High_.
Fr. _le renne_, _le caribou_; Ger. _das Karibu_.
[Illustration]
=Carriage=, or =Covered Wagon=. Sign _Wagon_, then raise the hands,
palms down, flat, but bent at an angle, up above the head, and move
forward about two feet to represent the carriage top.
=Carriage= or =Buggy=. Sign _Wagon_, _Small_, and sometimes add _Black_.
Fr. _la voiture_; Ger. _der Wagen_.
[Illustration]
=Carry= or =Pack=. Both closed hands held opposite the temple as if
holding the tump line, the shoulders slightly forward as though bearing
a pack.
Fr. _porter_; Ger. _tragen_.
=Carry in the hand.= With one hand make as though carrying a basket by
the handle.
=Cars.= See _Railroad train_.
[Illustration]
=Cartridge.= Hold right G hand, back up, in front of body, index
horizontal and pointing to front, thumb pressed against side of index,
with the thumb tip just back of second joint; add _Shoot_. See
_Ammunition_.
Fr. _la cartouche_; Ger. _die Patrone_, (_artill_) _die Kartusche_.
[Illustration]
=Cat= (Flattened or turned-up nose). Lay A hand on nose, rotating a
little out and up. (C) Sign _Nose_, _Short_, _Dog_.
Fr. _le chat_; Ger. _die Katze_.
=Catch.= Same as _Get_ but action quicker. See _Get_.
Fr. _attraper_; Ger. _fangen_.
[Illustration]
=Catholic.= Indicate gown by sweeping the 5 hands down over the sides
and outward; then add _Black_. Sometimes make the sign of the Cross.
Fr. _catholique_; Ger. _katholisch_.
=Cattle.= Sign _Buffalo_ and _Spotted_. (Blackfoot.) Compare _Buffalo_.
Or, sign _Buffalo_ and _Whiteman_.
Fr. _les bestiaux_; Ger. _das Vieh_.
=Caution.= See _Warning_.
=Cavalry.= _Soldier_ and _Ride_.
Fr. _la cavalerie_; Ger. _die Kavallerie_.
[Illustration]
=Centre.= With thumbs and index fingers of L hands make a horizontal
circle; then, keeping the left unchanged, indicate centre with right G
finger. Sometimes draw a horizontal circle with right G, then drop same
down into its centre.
Fr. _le centre_; Ger. _die Mitte_.
=Certain.= Sign _I_, _Know_, _Good_. Or use _True_.
Fr. _certain_; Ger. _sicher_.
[Illustration]
=Challenge=, =Defy=, or =Dare=. Spring the middle finger with a vigorous
snap toward the person, the other fingers closed; hand held face high,
back up. A European sign given by Butler. Compare _There_ and
_Defiance_.
Fr. _défier_; Ger. _herausfordern_.
=Chance.= See _Luck_.
[Illustration]
=Character= (Shape of heart). Lay right C hand on heart, draw it out,
that is, forward, a little and with both A hands outline a human figure.
(D) Sign _Heart_, _Good_, _Bad_. (Blackfoot.)
Fr. _le caractère_; Ger. _der Charakter_.
[Illustration]
=Charge= (Military, against others). Swing both fists from right
shoulder forward and a little down in an up curve, away, rising a
little, at the same time springing them open.
Fr. _la charge_ (_contre les autres_); Ger. _die Attacke_, _der
Angriff_ (_gegen andere_).
[Illustration]
=Charge= (Military, against us). Similar but reversed, springing the
hands open toward one’s face.
Fr. _la charge_ (_contre nous_); Ger. _die Attacke_ (_gegen uns_).
=Chase.= See _Follow_.
=Cherries= (Choke). Sign, _Tree_, _Pick_, and _Pound_. (Blackfoot.) See
_Berry_.
Fr. _les cerises_; Ger. _die Kirschen_.
=Cheyenne.= See _Indian_.
[Illustration]
=Chicken.= Sign _Bird_, then _Red_ and with 5 hand on crown show _Comb_.
(C) Or sign _Bird_ and _Whiteman_.
Fr. _le poulet_; Ger. _das Huhn_.
[Illustration]
=Chief= (People with one man rising above them). Hold up left 5 hand,
palm to right, pass index of right G hand at several inches above left.
(Scott.) The Cheyennes omit left hand; they shoot the right G up over
and much down in a long sweep, finishing lower than it began.
Fr. _le commandant_; Ger. _der Häuptling_.
=Child= or =Offspring=. Compressed right hand, points up, swung well out
in front and dropped a foot to the height of the child. Compare _Young_.
Fr. _l’enfant_; Ger. _das Kind_.
[Illustration]
=Children= (Springing up). Hold out both hands, palms up, very low,
fingers pointing up and scarcely spread; alternately swing them up and
down for six inches. Compare _Grass_, in which they are held low and are
spread widely; also _Bushes_.
Fr. _les enfants_; Ger. _die Kinder_.
[Illustration]
=Choose=, =Make choice=, or =Select=. Hold right G shoulder high, back
up, a foot in front of the breast, swing it in a circle with a
succession of little bounds or up curves, as though pointing at many
different objects in succession, the head turned to follow always; then
finish by throwing the G finger forward in a curve; or, in some cases,
finish by picking up the imaginary object selected, using index and
thumb for this. Compare _Find_, _Hunting_, and _Look_.
Fr. _choisir_; Ger. _wählen_.
[Illustration]
=Chop.= Use the flat right hand, little finger down, as an axe, chopping
first from right, then from left, once on each side. Sometimes do this
on back of left hand, which stands for the log. Compare _Free_, which is
two or three cuts on right side only.
Fr. _couper_, _trancher_; Ger. _hauen_, _hacken_.
=Christmas= (The day of the shining tree). Sign _Tree_, then hold hand
with fingers spread and crooked, palm down, level of face. Lower it six
inches in short, quick zigzags to suggest glittering or shimmering. (W.
C. Roe.) In _Snow_ the hand is lowered in long zigzags for about two
feet. See _Shimmer_. Or sign _Middle_, _Winter_, _Tree_, and _Hanging_;
for the last, hold the curved 5 hands, backs up, at level of the eyes;
jerk them a little apart. (R. B.)
Fr. _le Noël_; Ger. _Weihnachten_.
[Illustration]
=Church= (Steeple house). Cross clasp the fingers so the tips are
within, then raise both index fingers to form the steeple. (Pop.)
=Church.= Sign _Medicine_, _Talk_, _House_.
Fr. _l’église_; Ger. _die Kirche_.
[Illustration]
=Cigarette.= Sign _Tobacco_; then lay G fingers side by side pointing
opposite ways; roll one about the other. Sometimes omit _Tobacco_;
sometimes give _Cigar_ (2nd sign) and _Little_.
Fr. _la cigarette_; Ger. _die Zigarette_.
=Cigar= (=2=). Sign _Cigarette_, _Black_, and _Smoking_. Sometimes hold
right G at corner of mouth, pointing forward. _Cigar_ and _Cigarette_
are recent signs and changing rapidly.
Fr. _le cigare_; Ger. _die Zigarre_.
=City= (Big town). Make sign for _Town_, then add sign for _Big_. Or
omit _Big_ but swing the hands far apart.
Fr. _la ville_; Ger. _die Stadt_.
=Cities.= Many are indicated by their initial letter enhanced with
twisting motion. (D) For some we may use their nickname but this is
merely a suggestion.
=Boston= (The Hub). Sign for _City_ and _Centre_.
=Chicago= (Windy City). Sign for _City_ and _Wind_. The Cheyennes
call it _Big Lake City_.
=Kansas City= (Buffalo Head City). Sign _Buffalo Head_ and point up
high to the wall. (Cheyenne.)
=London.= Sign _City_, _Chief_, and _Red Coats_.
=New York= (Knickerbocker City). Sign for _City_ and trousers cut off
below the knee; i.e., draw flat of hand down over thigh then below
knee and stop, turning edge of hand in. Or sign _Big Island City_.
(Blackfoot.)
=Ottawa.= Sign _City_, _Chief_, and _Capotes_.
[Illustration]
=Philadelphia= (Quaker City). Sign _City_, then make sign for broad
hat with rim curled up by drawing both index fingers across mid-brow,
level in front, then twisting them up at the place of the rim. Or “no
name, just _Big City_, nothing distinctive.” (Blackfoot.)
=Pittsburg= (Smoky City). Sign for _City_ and _Smoky_.
=Rome= (Eternal City). Sign _City_ and _Forever_.
=Washington.= Sign _Father_, _Chief_, _Sits_. (Cheyenne.)
[Illustration]
=Clean-handed= or =Innocent= (Great Spirit see no blood on these hands).
Lift hands over shoulder, palms up higher than head and add _Blood_,
_No_. (C) Or, sign _Work_, _Bad_, _No_.
Fr. _innocent_; Ger. _unschuldig_.
=Clear= (Clear Sky). Sign _Clouds_, then swing the hands wide apart,
finishing with palms up at arm’s length, up high. Or, sign _Clouds_,
_Wiped out_. (Blackfoot.)
=Clever.= See _Cunning_.
[Illustration]
=Close=, =Near=, =Nearly=, =Soon=, =Early=, =About=, or =Almost= (Draw
near). Bring the flat curved right hand, back to right, well out in
front of body, about height of shoulder; draw the hand in toward the
body and slightly downward. Compare _Far_. See also _Soon_.
Fr. _près_, _presque_; Ger. _nahe_, _beinahe_.
=Clothes.= See _Coat_.
[Illustration]
=Clouds= (Rolling). Rotate the flat hands over each other from in front
of the face, to over the head.
[Illustration]
=Clouds= (Rain). Look upward, swing the flat hands at arm’s length,
palms down over the head; then add _Rain_.
Fr. _les nuages_; Ger. _die Wolken_.
=Coal.= Sign _Hard_, _Fire_, and _Good_.
Fr. _le charbon_; Ger. _die Kohle_.
[Illustration]
=Coat= or =Clothes=. Hold the L hands near the breast, palms in; swing
them down to the waist.
Fr. _l’habit_; Ger. _der Rock_.
[Illustration]
=Coffee= (Grinding coffee in mill). A few inches over the flat left
hand, back down, move the right A as though turning the crank of a
coffee mill. Or, sign _Black Drink_. Compare _Tobacco_.
Fr. _le café_; Ger. _der Kaffee_.
=Coin.= Close hollow right over hollowed left and shake as tho jingling
coin. (Sheeaka; not Indian, but now understood.) See _Dollar_.
Fr. _la pièce d’argent_; Ger. _die Münze_.
[Illustration]
=Cold= (Shivering). Bring the fists in front of and close to body,
height of shoulder, elbows at sides, shoulders drawn in, and shiver. See
_Winter_. Compare _Blanket_.
Fr. _froid_; Ger. _kalt_.
[Illustration]
=Color.= With the finger tips of right hand (thumb crooked under) rub
circularly on the palm of left hand as though rubbing color. Often add
_Same_ or _Equal_, to make more clear.
Fr. _la couleur_; Ger. _die Farbe_.
=Black.= Sign _Color_ and touch the hair or eyebrow.
Fr. _noir_; Ger. _schwarz_.
=Blue.= Sign _Sun_ with left hand and then draw the right G finger
around it to mean color of sky around the sun. (Sheeaka). Or, sign
_Color_ and _Sky_.
Fr. _bleu_; Ger. _blau_.
=Brown.= Sign _Color_ and _Deer_.
Fr. _brun_; Ger. _braun_.
=Gray.= Sign _Color_, _Little_, and _White_.
Fr. _gris_; Ger. _grau_.
=Green.= Sign _Color_ and _Grass_.
Fr. _vert_; Ger. _grün_.
=Red= (Cheek color). Sign _Color_ and lightly brush the right finger
tips over the cheek, points to right.
Fr. _rouge_; Ger. _rot_.
=White.= Sign _Color_ and rub thumb nail of left A hand with tip of
right G finger; i.e., nail color, white in Indians.
Fr. _blanc_; Ger. _weiss_.
=Yellow.= Sign _Color_ and point to any yellow object, such as a straw
or dead grass. Or sign _Color_, _Grass_, and _Dead_.
Fr. _jaune_; Ger. _gelb_.
For other colors, touch or indicate some object of the tint meant.
[Illustration]
=Comb.= With all fingers of right 5 hand hooked, comb the right side of
the head and down as far as the breast two or three times. Compare
_Woman_.
Fr. _le peigne_; Ger. _der Kamm_.
=Combat.= See _Battle_.
[Illustration]
=Come=. Carry right G hand, back out, fingers up, in a graceful sweep
from arm’s length to within a foot of one’s face. Many use the flat hand
swung down and to you, palm under and toward you. Railroad men use the
whole arm, swinging it across the body at an angle of 45 degrees, so as
to be seen in a dim light.
Fr. _venez_; Ger. _kommen Sie_.
=Come back=. Hold flat left, back forward, near breast; swing right
ditto pointed up from arm’s length in against back of left. See _Arrive
here_.