n. 1. A distinctive behavioral trait, especially one that calls attention to itself; an idiosyncrasy. See Synonyms at affectation. 2. Exaggerated or affected style in an art: films characterized by excessive artifice and mannerism. 3. Mannerism An artistic style of the late 1500s characterized by distortion of elements such as scale and perspective. manner·ist n. man′ner·istic adj. |
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