I challenge members to give a better definition of this word
than that given below. I read a short novel perhaps a hundred years old, with Sturm und Drang plot and orations,
absurd protestations of noble motives and passions.

"Mawkish" was one of the descriptions that occurred to me.
The dictionary definition seems inadequate. And the second
definition seems attribute the reaction to the wrong party.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Definition: \Mawk"ish\, a. [Orig., maggoty. See {Mawk}.]
1. Apt to cause satiety or loathing; nauseous; disgusting.

So sweetly mawkish', and so smoothly dull. --Pope.

2. Easily disgusted; squeamish; sentimentally fastidious.
--J. H. Newman.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary gives:

Main Entry: mawk??ish
Pronunciation: 'mo-kish
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English mawke maggot, from Old Norse mathkr -- more at MAGGOT
1 : having an insipid often unpleasant taste
2 : sickly or puerilely sentimental
- mawk??ish??ly adverb
- mawk??ish??ness noun


Microsoft Encarta gives:
mawk?ish [ máwkish ]

adjective

1. sentimental: sentimental, especially in a contrived or offputting way
2. bland or unpleasant: bland or unappetizing in taste or smell

[Mid-17th century. Formed from earlier mawk “maggot,” from Old Norse maðkr . Originally in the sense “nauseated, lacking appetite.”]

mawk?ish?ly adverb
mawk?ish?ness noun

And RhymeZone gives:
Definitions of mawkish:
adjective: effusively or insincerely emotional


I hope this helps.

Rev. Alimae

Dear AlimaeHP: your definitions are indeed better than
the ones I found.