Wiktionary
1 (context not comparable English) Waving the hands. 2 Pertaining to empty gesturing, with little substance behind it; vague. n. (context chiefly figuratively English) Frantic or conspicuous gesturing (during an argument etc.), especially as contrasted with a lack of underlying substance or meaning; empty gesturing. v
(present participle of handwave English)
Usage examples of "handwaving".
What they had to work with was more in the nature of handwaving and colored smokes than real weaponry or the skill to use it—but to the repair crews of a DSR, handwaving and colored smokes were second nature.
These Guardian guys existed, after all, and some, or maybe even most, of what they did was handwaving and persuasion, just as it had been in Andrew's case.
The gesture meant no more to him than his handwaving at the horned beast did to her.
Now she watched as the argument progressed, with handwaving and headshaking and—by the expressions—raised voices.
They set forth once more, followed by the shouted good wishes and many handwavings of Aunt Emma’s family.