mannerism Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
idiosyncrasy; foible.
noun a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display
affectation; pose; affectedness.

Cf. F. maniérisme.

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.