\Man"ner*ism\, n. [Cf. F. mani['e]risme.]
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.