Definition of Dactylology:

part of speech: noun

The art of communicating ideas by certain movements and positions of the fingers.

Usage examples:

• 100. What is Dactylology B. A. Hathaway in "1001 Questions and Answers on Orthography and Reading".

• They pressed hands at parting, firmly and briefly, not for the ordinary dactylology of lovers, but in sign of the treaty of amity. George Meredith in "The Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith".

• Its advocates tell us that when these results shall have been made known, and the attention of the philanthropist and man of science shall have been directed to them, the days of the old system of dactylology or communication by the aid of fingers, will be numbered. J. Ewing Ritchie in "The Religious Life of London".

• It happened that the doctor, who knew everything, was well acquainted with dactylology and the latest sign language, used in the instruction of deaf mutes, and as it seemed likely that our stay in our present abode might be a prolonged one, he told me he would try to teach Mona to converse with us. James Cowan in "Daybreak: A Romance of an Old World".