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Plural
mannerisms
1
an exaggerated gesture, speech pattern, or style intended to create an effect or impression
- She exaggerated the hand gestures as a mannerism for comedic effect.
- The director encouraged mannerisms that highlighted the absurdity of the scene.
- He practiced the mannerism in front of the mirror until it looked natural.
- The politician's mannerisms drew attention in every debate.
Synonyms:
2
a distinctive style, behavior, or way of doing things that is characteristic of a particular individual, group, or period
- The artist's mannerism was evident in the exaggerated proportions and elongated figures present in many of his paintings.
- John's mannerism of twirling his hair when deep in thought became a recognizable trait among his friends.
- The poet's use of unconventional punctuation and capitalization was a mannerism that defined his avant-garde writing style.
- The detective noticed a mannerism shared by multiple witnesses, helping to identify the suspect in the crime investigation.
- In his speeches, the politician displayed a mannerism of emphasizing key points with a distinctive hand gesture.
Synonyms:
3
a European style of art in the late 16th century characterized by hyper-idealization and distorted human forms
- The painting exhibited at the museum exemplified the mannerism style, with elongated figures and exaggerated poses creating a sense of drama and tension.
- Mannerism emerged as a reaction against the harmony and balance of the High Renaissance, embracing complexity and ambiguity in both form and content.
- The mannerism movement influenced not only painting but also sculpture, architecture, and literature, leaving its mark on European art and culture in the late 16th century.
- Art historians continue to debate the significance of mannerism in the broader context of art history, with some viewing it as a transitional phase between the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
- Mannerism's exaggerated style and theatrical flair appealed to the tastes of the aristocracy and elite patrons of the late Renaissance period.