MANNERISM

affectation, mannerism, pose, affectedness

(noun) a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display

idiosyncrasy, foible, mannerism

(noun) a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

mannerism (plural mannerisms)

A noticeable personal habit, a verbal or other (often, but not necessarily unconscious) habitual behavior peculiar to an individual.

Exaggerated or affected style in art, speech, or other behavior.

Etymology 2

Noun

mannerism (countable and uncountable, plural mannerisms)

(arts, literature) In literature, an ostentatious and unnatural style of the second half of the sixteenth century. In the contemporary criticism, described as a negation of the classicist equilibrium, pre-Baroque, and deforming expressiveness.

(arts, literature) In fine art, a style that is inspired by previous models, aiming to reproduce subjects in an expressive language.

Noun

Mannerism (uncountable)

(arts) A style of art developed at the end of the High Renaissance, characterized by the deliberate distortion and exaggeration of perspective and especially the elongation of figures.

Source: Wiktionary


Man"ner*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. maniérisme.]

Definition: Adherence to a peculiar style or manner; a characteristic mode of action, bearing, or treatment, carried to excess, especially in literature or art. Mannerism is pardonable,and is sometimes even agreeable, when the manner, though vicious, is natural . . . . But a mannerism which does not sit easy on the mannerist, which has been adopted on principle, and which can be sustained only by constant effort, is always offensive. Macaulay.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

6 June 2025

PUNGENCY

(noun) wit having a sharp and caustic quality; “he commented with typical pungency”; “the bite of satire”


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