American sign language n 1: the sign language used in the United States [syn: {ASL}, {American sign language}]
sign language \sign" lang`uage\ (s[imac]n" l[a^]ng`w[asl]j), n. A form of language for communicating by use of gestures made by the hands, rather than by speech. It includes alphabets made by hand gestures, as well as proper languages formed from signs. Among the latter is the {American Sign Language} (ASL), used by the deaf. See also {dactylology}. [PJC]
American sign language \American sign language\ n. a sign language, used in the United States mostly by the deaf or for communication with the deaf, in which gestures made with the hands symbolize words, alphabetical letters, or ideas, permitting rapid communication in the absence of speech. Syn: Ameslan. [PJC]