See Also: mannerism(medicine)
mannerism(dictionary)
Mannerism(encyclopedia)
mannerism(dictionary)

mannerism (iou)



mannerism noun. E19.
[from MANNER noun1 + -ISM.]
Excessive or affected adoption of a distinctive manner or method of treatment, esp. in art and literature; spec. (freq. Mannerism) a style of art which originated in Italy and preceded the baroque, characterized by stylistic exaggeration and distortion of figures etc. E19.
A habitual peculiarity of style or manner; a trick or gesture of speech or action, esp. of an actor. E19.
Times He has abandoned his mannerisms and been content to make a beautiful picture. N. Gordimer She fell again into the mannerism of holding her head to one side. P. Ackroyd I detest the critical mannerism that professes to find good in everything.
b. Psychiatry. An ordinary gesture or expression that becomes abnormal through exaggeration or repetition, usu. as a symptom of mental disorder. E20.