See Also: Philistine(medicine)
Philistine(dictionary)
Philistine(encyclopedia)
philistine(dictionary)

mannerism (iou) and philistine (oh)


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.

philistine (oh)



[Date: 1800-1900; Origin: Philistine; because the Philistines were thought by the Israelites in the Bible to be uncivilized people]
someone who does not like or understand Art, literature, Music etc
::When it comes to Art, the man's a philistine.
-- philistine adj
-- philistinism n [U]