WWager.SeeBet.WagonWagon.With index and thumb of each hand make two vertical circles, hands held backs up, a foot apart and shoulder high; by wrist action rotate these circles and move them forward a little.Fr.la voiture; Ger.der Wagen.WaitWait(Stop here). Flat hand up, palm forward; then gently bent forward to nearly level, palm down. CompareHalt.Fr.attendez!; Ger.warten!WakenWaken.SignSleepandArise(That is, lay the right G horizontally on breast and swing it out upright a foot away, back to right). Or signSleepandDone, i.e.,Ended.Fr.réveiller,s’éveiller; Ger.wecken,erwachen.WalkWalkorMarch. (For a person.) (Shape and movement of feet.) Hold out the flat hands, backs up, a few inches apart, pointing to front; swing the right forward, upward, and downward to same height as when starting; then the left ditto; draw the right hand to rear. Repeat these motions.WalkWalk(For an animal). With the S hands, backs up, go through the same as above.Fr.marcher; Ger.gehen.WallWallorFence. Push flat hands straight forward, points up, palms in; then, when well out, turn palms toward you and swing together. CompareValiseandBox.Fr.le mur; Ger.die Mauer,das Gitter.WanderingWandering.Hold up right G, palm forward; advance it with excessive sweeping zigzags from side to side, forming loops. These loops are 18 inches across; their plan, seen from above, is in the lower scroll. CompareAliveandWhite-tail Deer.Fr.errant; Ger.wandernd.WantWant(To),Crave,Desire,Wish,Anxious for,Will(Thirsty for). Hold the right hand, back to right, in front of and near chin; form a vertical incomplete circle with G index and thumb. Swing the hand down past the mouth, outward and upward, turning it at the finish so that the little finger is as high as the index.Fr. désirer; Ger. wünschen.Wapiti.SeeElk.War.SeeFight.War-cry.SeeBattle-cry.Warm, ToWarm, To(One’s hands). Hold out both flat hands, side by side, breast high, backs up, slightly curved as though over a fire; then rub them together. (Blackfoot.)Warm,I am warm. Draw the 5 hands down over breast, then hold out together, palms down, pointing forward. See alsoHot.Fr.chaud; Ger.warm.WarningWarning,Beware,Caution, orLook out. Raise right index, rest closed; turn hand so as to have right eye, index, and the person in line; at the same time, shake the head a little. (Sheeaka.)Fr.l’avertissement,prenez garde!; Ger.die Warnung,Vorsicht!Warpath, To go to WarWarpath, To go to War(The thumb chasing the index). With its index at a right angle with the palm and pointing toward the left, other fingers closed, its thumb extendedand upright near base of the index, back of hand outward; move the right hand forward with a long downward then upward curve in front of the right shoulder.Fr.le chemin de guerre; Ger.der Kriegspfad.Washing Clothes.Rub with both fists as on a rubbing board. Old gesture was to rub the right fist circularly, palm down, on the left, palm up.Fr.laver; Ger.waschen.Washington.SignWhite Man,All,Chief,High. (Sheeaka.)WatchWatch(A timepiece). Form a horizontal circle with thumb and index of left hand, others closed; tap around on this with the tip of right G.Fr.la montre; Ger.die Taschenuhr.Watch.SeeLook.Water, Running.SeeRiver.WaterWater(In general). Bring the slightly cupped right palm from forward nearly level to near the chin. CompareDrinkandSpeech.Fr.l’eau; Ger.das Wasser.Waterfall.SeeFall of Water.WayWay,Manner,Road,Method,Custom,Plan,Trail,Law, etc. Both hands flat, palms up, but thumb sides higher, side by side, pointing front, breast high, alternately advanced and withdrawn. Much used amongIndiansand sometimes equivalent to-shipor-ness, as inKingshiporGoodness. CompareWalkandRoad.Fr.le chemin,la manière; Ger.der Weg,die Art und Weise.WeWe,Us, andOur(Me all). Touch one’s chest with right thumb, fingers closed, then addAll. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes signMe,All, andTogether.Fr.nous,notre; Ger.wir,unser.WeakWeak.Swing the bent arms slowly from side to side as in walking weakly. OrStrong, andNo. SeeTiredandLazy.Fr.faible; Ger.schwach.Weary.SeeTired.WeaselWeasel.With right G curved, back up, imitate bounding; then indicateTailandHalf,Black. (Sheeaka.)Fr.la belette; Ger.das Wiesel.Week.SeeTimeandSun.Weep.SeeCry.Weigh(Metaphorically). SeeConsider.Welcome.SignComeandGood.Fr.bienvenu; Ger.willkommen.WellWell,Good Health(Body strong). Flat hands one on each side of the body; draw them away, clench them and move them down with a jerk. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes signAll,Body(as above),Hard. CompareSickandLungs.Fr.bien portant,la bonne sante; Ger.wohl,die Gesundheit.What?SeeQuestion.When?SeeQuestion.Whence?SeeQuestion.Where?SeeQuestion.WhereverWherever(All places). Hold right G out, back up, pointing toward horizon. Swing slowly in a half-circle up and over to left, then back to right; repeat.Fr.en quelque lieu que ce soit; Ger.wo auch nur.Whether.SeeIf.WhetstoneWhetstone.SignHard, then hold out left N hand and rub right N hand on it, with long, sweeping strokes.Fr.la pierre à aiguiser;Ger. der Wetzstein.Which?SeeQuestion.Which.SeeWho.While, After a.SeeBye and bye.WhileWhile,Every Little While. Hold out left G, pointing to right; with left G tap on it several times, each time moving the right nearer the base of left G. See,All the time. ComparePeasandBuy.Fr.à chaque moment; Ger.jeden Augenblick.WhileWhile,Meanwhile, orDuring. SignTime, slowly moving hands until about six inches apart. Some shake the right hand in drawing it back. Or signTime,Sit. CompareTime,Sometimes,Soon.Fr.pendant; Ger.während.Whirlwind.SeeCyclone.Whiskey.SignFireandWater, orCrazy,Water. Although some Cheyennes call beer fire-water, because of the explosion and froth.Fr.le whiskey,l’eau-de-vie; Ger.der Whisky,der Branntwein.WhisperWhisper, orSpeak Privately. Hold up flat right hand, thumb at one side of the mouth, and incline the head. Or signHideandTalk.Fr.chuchoter; Ger.flüstern.White(Color). SeeColors.WhiteWhiteorWhite Man(Hat or Cap wearers). Hold right G hand, back up and to right, in front of, close to, and a little to left of face, pointing to left; draw the hand to right, index finger passing horizontally in front of eyes. Sometimes addMan.Fr.l’homme blanc; Ger.der Weisze.Whither?SeeQuestion.WhoWhoorWhich(This equals that). Hold the two G fingers side by side on left; then, keeping the relative positions, swing them to the right. (W. C. Roe.) Probably modern. This is the same asAs; the context alone shows which is meant.Why?SeeQuestion.Wicky-upWicky-up.Swing the curved G fingers together in dome shape, left tip resting on right tip; then change to curved 4 hands and swing down and apart on a curve. (C)Wide.SeeBroad.Wife.Make signs forFemale, thenMarry. Usually signMy(orHis)Woman.Fr.la femme; Ger.die Frau,die Gattin.Wild.SignBad; then push both 5 hands forward, thumbs up, six inches apart, switching them simultaneously from side to side. Sometimes useCrazyorFree.Wild(Wild animal). SignLookbackward, then addGoquickly. Sometimes useFree.Fr.sauvage; Ger.wild.Will.SeeWant.WillWillorShall(Futurity). Hold the right open flat hand, palm to left, pointing straight out and elevated near ear. Push it straight forward and upward the length of the arm. Sometimes signTime AheadorFar Ahead. ComparePastandFuture.Fr.le futur exprimé par l’inflexion du verbe; Ger.werden,wollen.WinorOvercome. Make sign forKill; and indicate in what way. Thus, a person winning at gambling “Kills” the other in that way.Fr.gagner,vaincre; Ger.gewinnen,siegen.WindWind.Hold up the 5 hands, shoulder high, backs up, a few inches apart, pointed forward and hands moved with a tremulous motion in direction of wind. Ifstrong wind, preface this withFire-offorCharge. Or SignForward, using both hands. SeeRumorandStorm.Fr.le vent; Ger.der Wind.WingWing.Hold out left arm level, bent; sweep flat right 5 hand over it from shoulder down. Or, sometimes flap one hand as inBird. CompareHair.Fr.l’aile; Ger.der Flügel.WinterWinter(Cold time). Hold closed hands in front of body, forearms about vertical, hands several inches apart; give a shivering, tremulous motion to hands; Sometimes, and particularly with Northern Indians,the sign forSnowis made. AddTime, if there is any doubt.Fr.l’hiver; Ger.der Winter.Wipe OutWipe Out,Excuse, orForgive(To wipe it off). Hold left hand flat, palm up; smartly brush it with finger tips of right flat hand, from wrist to fingers and beyond. CompareExterminateandColor. For the stronger idea, seePardon.Fr.excuser; Ger.verzeihen.WireWire.Hold right G back nearly up, pointing to left, about face high, near left shoulder; draw it across level to right shoulder. CompareCreekandRope.Fr.le fil de métal; Ger.der Draht.Wise,Wisdom(Heart and head good). SignHeart, then touch forehead and signGood. (C) Or,Heap,Understand. Sometimes useCunning.Fr.sage,la sagesse; Ger.klug,die Weisheit.Wish.SeeWant.WitchWitch.Cross the upright thumb of right hand on the middle of the index, which is a little bent, other fingers straight, held so one can sight over the thumb at the person meant. (Ruggles.) Also used forDistrustandDiscredited. Widely established in the mountains.Fr.la sorcière; Ger.die Hexe.WithWithorTogether. Hold out the flat left, fingers forward, level, back to left; and lay the side of the right G finger, pointed forward, against the centre of the left palm. Sometimes meansAdd. SeeTogetherandBeside.Fr.avec,ensemble; Ger.mit,zusammen.WithinorInside. SeeIn.WolfWolf.Hold the right V hand, palm forward, near right shoulder, pointing straight upward; move it a little forward and up. SeeScout.Fr.le loup; Ger.der Wolf.Wolverine.SignBear,Small, and indicate bushy tail. This is merely a description, not an established sign.Fr.le carcajou,le volverenne; Ger.der braune Vielfrasz.WomanWoman.Make the sign forFemale; sometimes also indicate height. CompareComb.Fr.la femme; Ger.die Frau.Wonderful.SeeGlow.WoodorTimber. SignTree, then indicate size and shape. AddChopand throw forward (i.e., onto fire).Fr.le bois; Ger.das Holz.WoodchuckorGroundhog. With compressed right, back up, pushed forward, rolling from side to side, indicate the animal, itsSize; then, with left H hand near upper lip and right H hand near lower, show the action of the front teeth, which differ from those of other rodents its equal in size in beingWhite. This is not an established sign, but suggested as a description.Fr.la grande marmotte d’Amérique; Ger.das virginische Murmeltier.Woodcraft BoyWoodcraft Boy.The Y hand; this denotes the Horned Shield, the symbol of the Order. (Not Indian.)Woodcraft GirlWoodcraft Girl.Make the sign ofSunon the heart and then raise it to the zenith. (Not Indian.)WoodpeckerWoodpecker.SignBird, then hold left arm upright forTreeand on this place the partly compressed right; make it hop up and tap the left palm with curved right G.Fr.le pic,le pivert,l’èpeiche; Ger.der Specht.WordWord(One piece of talk). Make C and lay it on the mouth, then swing it forward and a little down. (A very doubtful sign given by Sheeaka.)Fr.le mot; Ger.das Wort.Word of Honor.SeeCross the heart. (Pop.)WorkWork,Doing,Make, orAct. Hold the flat hands four inches apart, palm to palm, level, left a little ahead; push them forward a little, simultaneously, and, at the same time, swing the points upward and downward briskly by wrist action, so that the finger points followthe lines shown in the cut. To complete the sign, the action should be repeated at the left side with the hands reversed with regard to each other; but usually the first only is given. Possibly refers to fleshing a hide, which was about the hardest work in an Indian camp. ForWork hard, use both A fists instead of flat hands.Fr.travailler; Ger.arbeiten.World.SeeEarth.WoundWound(The course of arrow or bullet). Swing the right G hand toward the body, point first, back of hand to left and front, so that the tip just grazes the surface of the body and passes on, as though glancing off. CompareAche.Fr.la blessure; Ger.verwunden.WrapWrap.Bring the slightly compressed hands, backs outward, in front of body, backs of fingers of right hand resting against inner surface of left, index fingers about horizontal; rotate the hands around each other.Fr.envelopper; Ger.einwickeln.Wrestle.Cross the wrists about two feet in front of the face, hands clenched as inPrisoner; then wriggle them from side to side.Fr.lutter; Ger.ringen,kämpfen.WringWring.Hold the left A hand palm up and the right A hand back up, index of each touching thumb of the other as though holding a rope; then twist by wrist action till the position of each hand is reversed.Fr.tordre; Ger.ringen.Wrinkle.Wrinkle the skin of forehead and pinch same; also draw lines on face with finger tip. Sometimes omit last.Fr.la ride,le pli; Ger.die Runzel,die Falte.WriteWriteorWriting. With an imaginary pencil in right fingers, write on left palm; or in the air simply.This last preceded byComeis commonly used in European hotels for “Give me my bill.”Fr.écrire; Ger.schreiben.Wrong.SignHonestandNot; or elseBad. Sometimes useDifferentandBad. SeeCrooked.Fr.tort; Ger.unrecht.
Wager.SeeBet.
Wagon
Wagon.With index and thumb of each hand make two vertical circles, hands held backs up, a foot apart and shoulder high; by wrist action rotate these circles and move them forward a little.
Fr.la voiture; Ger.der Wagen.
Wait
Wait(Stop here). Flat hand up, palm forward; then gently bent forward to nearly level, palm down. CompareHalt.
Fr.attendez!; Ger.warten!
Waken
Waken.SignSleepandArise(That is, lay the right G horizontally on breast and swing it out upright a foot away, back to right). Or signSleepandDone, i.e.,Ended.
Fr.réveiller,s’éveiller; Ger.wecken,erwachen.
Walk
WalkorMarch. (For a person.) (Shape and movement of feet.) Hold out the flat hands, backs up, a few inches apart, pointing to front; swing the right forward, upward, and downward to same height as when starting; then the left ditto; draw the right hand to rear. Repeat these motions.
Walk
Walk(For an animal). With the S hands, backs up, go through the same as above.
Fr.marcher; Ger.gehen.
Wall
WallorFence. Push flat hands straight forward, points up, palms in; then, when well out, turn palms toward you and swing together. CompareValiseandBox.
Fr.le mur; Ger.die Mauer,das Gitter.
Wandering
Wandering.Hold up right G, palm forward; advance it with excessive sweeping zigzags from side to side, forming loops. These loops are 18 inches across; their plan, seen from above, is in the lower scroll. CompareAliveandWhite-tail Deer.
Fr.errant; Ger.wandernd.
Want
Want(To),Crave,Desire,Wish,Anxious for,Will(Thirsty for). Hold the right hand, back to right, in front of and near chin; form a vertical incomplete circle with G index and thumb. Swing the hand down past the mouth, outward and upward, turning it at the finish so that the little finger is as high as the index.
Fr. désirer; Ger. wünschen.
Wapiti.SeeElk.
War.SeeFight.
War-cry.SeeBattle-cry.
Warm, To
Warm, To(One’s hands). Hold out both flat hands, side by side, breast high, backs up, slightly curved as though over a fire; then rub them together. (Blackfoot.)
Warm,I am warm. Draw the 5 hands down over breast, then hold out together, palms down, pointing forward. See alsoHot.
Fr.chaud; Ger.warm.
Warning
Warning,Beware,Caution, orLook out. Raise right index, rest closed; turn hand so as to have right eye, index, and the person in line; at the same time, shake the head a little. (Sheeaka.)
Fr.l’avertissement,prenez garde!; Ger.die Warnung,Vorsicht!
Warpath, To go to War
Warpath, To go to War(The thumb chasing the index). With its index at a right angle with the palm and pointing toward the left, other fingers closed, its thumb extendedand upright near base of the index, back of hand outward; move the right hand forward with a long downward then upward curve in front of the right shoulder.
Fr.le chemin de guerre; Ger.der Kriegspfad.
Washing Clothes.Rub with both fists as on a rubbing board. Old gesture was to rub the right fist circularly, palm down, on the left, palm up.
Fr.laver; Ger.waschen.
Washington.SignWhite Man,All,Chief,High. (Sheeaka.)
Watch
Watch(A timepiece). Form a horizontal circle with thumb and index of left hand, others closed; tap around on this with the tip of right G.
Fr.la montre; Ger.die Taschenuhr.
Watch.SeeLook.
Water, Running.SeeRiver.
Water
Water(In general). Bring the slightly cupped right palm from forward nearly level to near the chin. CompareDrinkandSpeech.
Fr.l’eau; Ger.das Wasser.
Waterfall.SeeFall of Water.
Way
Way,Manner,Road,Method,Custom,Plan,Trail,Law, etc. Both hands flat, palms up, but thumb sides higher, side by side, pointing front, breast high, alternately advanced and withdrawn. Much used amongIndiansand sometimes equivalent to-shipor-ness, as inKingshiporGoodness. CompareWalkandRoad.
Fr.le chemin,la manière; Ger.der Weg,die Art und Weise.
We
We,Us, andOur(Me all). Touch one’s chest with right thumb, fingers closed, then addAll. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes signMe,All, andTogether.
Fr.nous,notre; Ger.wir,unser.
Weak
Weak.Swing the bent arms slowly from side to side as in walking weakly. OrStrong, andNo. SeeTiredandLazy.
Fr.faible; Ger.schwach.
Weary.SeeTired.
Weasel
Weasel.With right G curved, back up, imitate bounding; then indicateTailandHalf,Black. (Sheeaka.)
Fr.la belette; Ger.das Wiesel.
Week.SeeTimeandSun.
Weep.SeeCry.
Weigh(Metaphorically). SeeConsider.
Welcome.SignComeandGood.
Fr.bienvenu; Ger.willkommen.
Well
Well,Good Health(Body strong). Flat hands one on each side of the body; draw them away, clench them and move them down with a jerk. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes signAll,Body(as above),Hard. CompareSickandLungs.
Fr.bien portant,la bonne sante; Ger.wohl,die Gesundheit.
What?SeeQuestion.
When?SeeQuestion.
Whence?SeeQuestion.
Where?SeeQuestion.
Wherever
Wherever(All places). Hold right G out, back up, pointing toward horizon. Swing slowly in a half-circle up and over to left, then back to right; repeat.
Fr.en quelque lieu que ce soit; Ger.wo auch nur.
Whether.SeeIf.
Whetstone
Whetstone.SignHard, then hold out left N hand and rub right N hand on it, with long, sweeping strokes.
Fr.la pierre à aiguiser;Ger. der Wetzstein.
Which?SeeQuestion.
Which.SeeWho.
While, After a.SeeBye and bye.
While
While,Every Little While. Hold out left G, pointing to right; with left G tap on it several times, each time moving the right nearer the base of left G. See,All the time. ComparePeasandBuy.
Fr.à chaque moment; Ger.jeden Augenblick.
While
While,Meanwhile, orDuring. SignTime, slowly moving hands until about six inches apart. Some shake the right hand in drawing it back. Or signTime,Sit. CompareTime,Sometimes,Soon.
Fr.pendant; Ger.während.
Whirlwind.SeeCyclone.
Whiskey.SignFireandWater, orCrazy,Water. Although some Cheyennes call beer fire-water, because of the explosion and froth.
Fr.le whiskey,l’eau-de-vie; Ger.der Whisky,der Branntwein.
Whisper
Whisper, orSpeak Privately. Hold up flat right hand, thumb at one side of the mouth, and incline the head. Or signHideandTalk.
Fr.chuchoter; Ger.flüstern.
White(Color). SeeColors.
White
WhiteorWhite Man(Hat or Cap wearers). Hold right G hand, back up and to right, in front of, close to, and a little to left of face, pointing to left; draw the hand to right, index finger passing horizontally in front of eyes. Sometimes addMan.
Fr.l’homme blanc; Ger.der Weisze.
Whither?SeeQuestion.
Who
WhoorWhich(This equals that). Hold the two G fingers side by side on left; then, keeping the relative positions, swing them to the right. (W. C. Roe.) Probably modern. This is the same asAs; the context alone shows which is meant.
Why?SeeQuestion.
Wicky-up
Wicky-up.Swing the curved G fingers together in dome shape, left tip resting on right tip; then change to curved 4 hands and swing down and apart on a curve. (C)
Wide.SeeBroad.
Wife.Make signs forFemale, thenMarry. Usually signMy(orHis)Woman.
Fr.la femme; Ger.die Frau,die Gattin.
Wild.SignBad; then push both 5 hands forward, thumbs up, six inches apart, switching them simultaneously from side to side. Sometimes useCrazyorFree.
Wild(Wild animal). SignLookbackward, then addGoquickly. Sometimes useFree.
Fr.sauvage; Ger.wild.
Will.SeeWant.
Will
WillorShall(Futurity). Hold the right open flat hand, palm to left, pointing straight out and elevated near ear. Push it straight forward and upward the length of the arm. Sometimes signTime AheadorFar Ahead. ComparePastandFuture.
Fr.le futur exprimé par l’inflexion du verbe; Ger.werden,wollen.
WinorOvercome. Make sign forKill; and indicate in what way. Thus, a person winning at gambling “Kills” the other in that way.
Fr.gagner,vaincre; Ger.gewinnen,siegen.
Wind
Wind.Hold up the 5 hands, shoulder high, backs up, a few inches apart, pointed forward and hands moved with a tremulous motion in direction of wind. Ifstrong wind, preface this withFire-offorCharge. Or SignForward, using both hands. SeeRumorandStorm.
Fr.le vent; Ger.der Wind.
Wing
Wing.Hold out left arm level, bent; sweep flat right 5 hand over it from shoulder down. Or, sometimes flap one hand as inBird. CompareHair.
Fr.l’aile; Ger.der Flügel.
Winter
Winter(Cold time). Hold closed hands in front of body, forearms about vertical, hands several inches apart; give a shivering, tremulous motion to hands; Sometimes, and particularly with Northern Indians,the sign forSnowis made. AddTime, if there is any doubt.
Fr.l’hiver; Ger.der Winter.
Wipe Out
Wipe Out,Excuse, orForgive(To wipe it off). Hold left hand flat, palm up; smartly brush it with finger tips of right flat hand, from wrist to fingers and beyond. CompareExterminateandColor. For the stronger idea, seePardon.
Fr.excuser; Ger.verzeihen.
Wire
Wire.Hold right G back nearly up, pointing to left, about face high, near left shoulder; draw it across level to right shoulder. CompareCreekandRope.
Fr.le fil de métal; Ger.der Draht.
Wise,Wisdom(Heart and head good). SignHeart, then touch forehead and signGood. (C) Or,Heap,Understand. Sometimes useCunning.
Fr.sage,la sagesse; Ger.klug,die Weisheit.
Wish.SeeWant.
Witch
Witch.Cross the upright thumb of right hand on the middle of the index, which is a little bent, other fingers straight, held so one can sight over the thumb at the person meant. (Ruggles.) Also used forDistrustandDiscredited. Widely established in the mountains.
Fr.la sorcière; Ger.die Hexe.
With
WithorTogether. Hold out the flat left, fingers forward, level, back to left; and lay the side of the right G finger, pointed forward, against the centre of the left palm. Sometimes meansAdd. SeeTogetherandBeside.
Fr.avec,ensemble; Ger.mit,zusammen.
WithinorInside. SeeIn.
Wolf
Wolf.Hold the right V hand, palm forward, near right shoulder, pointing straight upward; move it a little forward and up. SeeScout.
Fr.le loup; Ger.der Wolf.
Wolverine.SignBear,Small, and indicate bushy tail. This is merely a description, not an established sign.
Fr.le carcajou,le volverenne; Ger.der braune Vielfrasz.
Woman
Woman.Make the sign forFemale; sometimes also indicate height. CompareComb.
Fr.la femme; Ger.die Frau.
Wonderful.SeeGlow.
WoodorTimber. SignTree, then indicate size and shape. AddChopand throw forward (i.e., onto fire).
Fr.le bois; Ger.das Holz.
WoodchuckorGroundhog. With compressed right, back up, pushed forward, rolling from side to side, indicate the animal, itsSize; then, with left H hand near upper lip and right H hand near lower, show the action of the front teeth, which differ from those of other rodents its equal in size in beingWhite. This is not an established sign, but suggested as a description.
Fr.la grande marmotte d’Amérique; Ger.das virginische Murmeltier.
Woodcraft Boy
Woodcraft Boy.The Y hand; this denotes the Horned Shield, the symbol of the Order. (Not Indian.)
Woodcraft Girl
Woodcraft Girl.Make the sign ofSunon the heart and then raise it to the zenith. (Not Indian.)
Woodpecker
Woodpecker.SignBird, then hold left arm upright forTreeand on this place the partly compressed right; make it hop up and tap the left palm with curved right G.
Fr.le pic,le pivert,l’èpeiche; Ger.der Specht.
Word
Word(One piece of talk). Make C and lay it on the mouth, then swing it forward and a little down. (A very doubtful sign given by Sheeaka.)
Fr.le mot; Ger.das Wort.
Word of Honor.SeeCross the heart. (Pop.)
Work
Work,Doing,Make, orAct. Hold the flat hands four inches apart, palm to palm, level, left a little ahead; push them forward a little, simultaneously, and, at the same time, swing the points upward and downward briskly by wrist action, so that the finger points followthe lines shown in the cut. To complete the sign, the action should be repeated at the left side with the hands reversed with regard to each other; but usually the first only is given. Possibly refers to fleshing a hide, which was about the hardest work in an Indian camp. ForWork hard, use both A fists instead of flat hands.
Fr.travailler; Ger.arbeiten.
World.SeeEarth.
Wound
Wound(The course of arrow or bullet). Swing the right G hand toward the body, point first, back of hand to left and front, so that the tip just grazes the surface of the body and passes on, as though glancing off. CompareAche.
Fr.la blessure; Ger.verwunden.
Wrap
Wrap.Bring the slightly compressed hands, backs outward, in front of body, backs of fingers of right hand resting against inner surface of left, index fingers about horizontal; rotate the hands around each other.
Fr.envelopper; Ger.einwickeln.
Wrestle.Cross the wrists about two feet in front of the face, hands clenched as inPrisoner; then wriggle them from side to side.
Fr.lutter; Ger.ringen,kämpfen.
Wring
Wring.Hold the left A hand palm up and the right A hand back up, index of each touching thumb of the other as though holding a rope; then twist by wrist action till the position of each hand is reversed.
Fr.tordre; Ger.ringen.
Wrinkle.Wrinkle the skin of forehead and pinch same; also draw lines on face with finger tip. Sometimes omit last.
Fr.la ride,le pli; Ger.die Runzel,die Falte.
Write
WriteorWriting. With an imaginary pencil in right fingers, write on left palm; or in the air simply.
This last preceded byComeis commonly used in European hotels for “Give me my bill.”
Fr.écrire; Ger.schreiben.
Wrong.SignHonestandNot; or elseBad. Sometimes useDifferentandBad. SeeCrooked.
Fr.tort; Ger.unrecht.