Noun

(en noun)

An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show.

:* {{quote-book, year=1810

, year_published=2009 , edition=Digitized , editor= , author=Dr. Samuel Johnson , title=The Works of the English Poets , chapter=Life of Gower citation , genre= , publisher= , isbn= , page= , passage=This poem is strongly tinctured with those pedantic affectations concerning the passion of love ... }}

An unusual mannerism.

Noun

(en noun)

A quirk, idiosyncrasy, or mannerism; unusual habit or way (usage is typically plural), that is slightly strange or silly.

Try to look past his foibles and see the friendly fellow underneath.

* 1915 ,

They made up for the respect with which unconsciously they treated him by laughing at his foibles and lamenting his vices.

* 1959 , Meriden Record, " An ounce of prevention", July 24 issue

Final fillip in the Vice-President's study has been a boning up]] on Premier Khrushchev's favorite foible , proverbs. The bibulous Russian leader likes to throw out homely [[homily, homilies in his speeches and conversations..

(fencing) Part of a sword between the middle and the point, weaker than the forte.

A weakness or failing of character.

* 1932 , , by William Floyd

Jesus is reverenced as the one man who has lived unspotted by the world, free from human foibles , able to redeem mankind by his example.