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ethos
[ee-thos, ee-thohs, eth-os, -ohs]
noun
Sociology., the fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period.
In the Greek ethos the individual was highly valued.
the character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc.
the moral element in dramatic literature that determines a character's action rather than their thought or emotion.
ethos
/ ˈiːθɒs /
noun
the distinctive character, spirit, and attitudes of a people, culture, era, etc
the revolutionary ethos
Word History and Origins
Origin of ethos1
Word History and Origins
Origin of ethos1
Compare Meanings
How does ethos compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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When To Use
The ethos of a culture or society is its collective spirit or character—the fundamental or underlying beliefs and attitudes that influence its customs and practices.Things sometimes said to have an ethos include countries (the American ethos of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness), cultures and subcultures (the punk ethos), and eras in time (the counterculture ethos of the ’60s).The word can also refer collectively to such beliefs and attitudes in a person.The term ethos is also used as the name of a particular method of persuasion in which a person relies on their credibility or character when making an appeal or an argument. In this context, it is often discussed alongside logos (an appeal to logic) and pathos (an appeal to emotion).Example: Our company ethos is based on creating a space where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and valued in the workplace.
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