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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, whic…

In military language, a strict disciplinarian; in general, one who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods. [Hence, the word is commonly employed in a depreciatory sense.]

The principles or practices of a martinet; rigid adherence to discipline, etc.

The condition of a martyr; the death of a martyr; the suffering of death on account of adherence to the Christian faith, or to any cause. Bacon. I came from martyrdom unto this peace. Longfellow.

The quality of being miscreant; adherence to a false religion; false faith. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance. [Obs.] We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances. Jer. Taylor.

at can not be shaken at all, or only with great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose, or system; unyielding disposition; stubborness; pertinacity; persistency; contumacy. You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. Shak. To shelter their ignorance, or obst…

The state of being official; a system of official government; also, adherence to office routine; red-tapism. Officialism may often drift into blunders. Smiles.

party or faction; especially, having the character of blind, passionate, or unreasonable adherence to a party; as, blinded by partisan zeal.

lty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship. Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matt. v. 44.

he act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship. Persecution produces no sincere conviction. Paley.

The quality or state of being punctual; especially, adherence to the exact time of an engagement; exactness.

real life; representation without idealization, and making no appeal to the imagination; adherence to the actual fact.

Strict adherence to official formalities. J. C. Shairp.

One who is tenacious of a strict adherence to official formalities. Ld. Lytton.

The straight course; adherence to duty; obedience to lawful authority, divine or human; freedom from guilt, -- the opposite of moral wrong.

A system founded upon a ritual or prescribed form of religious worship; adherence to, or observance of, a ritual.

The quality or state of being scriptural; literal adherence to the Scriptures.

ctarian; devotion to the interests of a party; excess of partisan or denominational zeal; adherence to a separate church organization.

A construction in which adherence to some element in the sense causes a departure from strict syntax, as in "Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them."