/i moh"sheuh nl iz"euhm/ , n.
1. excessively emotional character: the emotionalism of sentimental fiction.
2. strong or excessive appeal to the emotions: the emotionalism of patriotic propaganda.
3. a tendency to display or respond with undue emotion, esp. morbid emotion.
4. unwarranted expression or display of emotion.
[ 1860-65; EMOTIONAL + -ISM ]
Syn . sentimentality, mawkishness.