Main Entry: man·ner·ism

Pronunciation: \ˈma-nə-ˌri-zəm\

Function: noun

Date: 1803

1 a : exaggerated or affected adherence to a particular style or manner : artificiality, preciosity <refined almost to the point of mannerism — Winthrop Sargeant> b often capitalized : an art style in late 16th century Europe characterized by spatial incongruity and excessive elongation of the human figures
2 : a characteristic and often unconscious mode or peculiarity of action, bearing, or treatment

synonyms see pose

— man·ner·ist \-rist\ noun or adjective

— man·ner·is·tic \ˌma-nə-ˈris-tik\ adjective