0 a vote in which people raise one of their hands to show that they support a suggestion:
Her re-election to the committee was defeated on/by a show of hands.
Elections are conducted by a show of hands, with leaders elected by majority.
She engages the audiences by asking either for a show of hands of former "cats and stomps" or by clapping.
After another show of hands, and some hearty applause, the hall soon emptied.
Often the vote included at least some element of discretion or secrecy, for example, the candidates were asked to leave the room during a show of hands.
This was decided by vote (with a show of hands) + a strategy that a member of the group introduced and was used often for making decisions.
Under-performing leaders may be removed by a majority vote, but voting is suspect since a publicly visible show of hands is required, which may influence ones' stance.
Most attendees tend to be passive participants who listen to others clarify their position before casting their respective vote, usually by an open show of hands.
It is to be by a show of hands unless challenged, and is then to be by the character of the holding.
