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Reference.org
Handshape
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Sign_language/Wjfl9Db6">sign languages</a>, handshape, or dez, refers to the distinctive configurations that the hands take as they are used to form words. In <a href="/facts/William_Stokoe/XSIAT1Nx">Stokoe</a> terminology it is known as the DEZ, an abbreviation of <i>designator</i>. Handshape is one of five components of a sign, along with <a href="/facts/Location_/3g9uVCUu">location</a> (TAB), <a href="/facts/Orientation_/QtomTcQb">orientation</a> (ORI), <a href="/facts/Movement_/TxVwYaX1">movement</a> (SIG), and <a href="/facts/Nonmanual_feature/jvGPphb2">nonmanual features</a>. Different sign languages make use of different handshapes. </p>