noun a gesture or movement of the hand, especially one made to emphasize or express something
verb to make a gesture or movement with the hand, especially to emphasize or express something
In mathematics, handwave can refer to a casual or informal proof that skips over rigorous details, relying more on intuition or general principles.
In academic writing, handwave may be used to criticize a lack of thoroughness or precision in an argument or explanation, suggesting that important details have been glossed over or ignored.
In computer science, handwave refers to a simplification or abstraction of a complex concept or algorithm, often used in explanations or discussions to make it easier to understand without going into technical details.
In physics, handwave is used to describe a vague or imprecise explanation or theory that lacks concrete evidence or rigorous analysis.
In writing, 'handwave' is used to describe a situation where a writer glosses over details or explanations in order to move the story forward without addressing all the complexities.
In psychology, 'handwave' can be used to describe a tendency to dismiss or ignore important factors or issues in a situation, leading to oversimplified or incomplete analyses.
In software engineering, 'handwave' may refer to a quick and imprecise solution or workaround to a problem, often without fully understanding or addressing the root cause.
In project management, 'handwave' can be used to describe a situation where important details or risks are overlooked or downplayed, potentially leading to project delays or failures.