Mannerism definition |Dictionary.com

Mannerism

8 dictionary results for: Mannerism

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

man·ner·ism

[man-uh-riz-uh

m] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	a habitual or characteristic manner, mode, or way of doing something; distinctive quality or style, as in behavior or speech: He has an annoying mannerism of tapping his fingers while he talks. They copied his literary mannerisms but always lacked his ebullience.

2.	marked or excessive adherence to an unusual or a particular manner, esp. if affected: Natural courtesy is a world apart from snobbish mannerism.

3.	(usually initial capital letter) a style in the fine arts developed principally in Europe during the 16th century, chiefly characterized by a complex perspectival system, elongation of forms, strained gestures or poses of figures, and intense, often strident color.

[Origin: 1795–1805; manner¹ + -ism

]

—Related forms

man·ner·ist, noun

man·ner·is·tic, adjective

man·ner·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

man·ner·ism (mān'ə-rĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n.

A distinctive behavioral trait; an idiosyncrasy.
Exaggerated or affected style or habit, as in dress or speech. See Synonyms at affectation.
Mannerism An artistic style of the late 16th century characterized by distortion of elements such as scale and perspective.

man'ner·ist n., man'ner·is'tic adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
mannerism

"excessive use of distinctive methods in art or literature," 1803, from manner. Meaning "an instance of mannerism, habitual peculiarity" is from 1819. Mannerist in this sense is attested from 1695.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

mannerism
noun
1.	a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual [syn: idiosyncrasy]
2.	a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display [syn: affectation]

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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

mannerism man·ner·ism (mān'ə-rĭz'əm)
n.
A distinctive behavioral trait; an idiosyncrasy.

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Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: man·ner·ism
Pronunciation: 'man-&-"riz-&m
Function: noun
: a characteristic and often unconscious mode or peculiarity ofaction, bearing, or treatment; especially : any pointless and compulsive activity performed repeatedly

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Mannerism

Man"ner*ism\, n. [Cf. F. mani['e]risme.] 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.

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