17 February 2016

ethos

[ee-thos, ee-thohs, eth-os, -ohs]

noun

1. 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.
2. the character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc.
3. the moral element in dramatic literature that determines a character’s action rather than his or her thought or emotion.

Origin of ethos

1850-1855; < Greek: custom, habit, character

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for ethos

Contemporary Examples

During World War II, the ethos was “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”
Millennials Will Be Just Fine
Justin Green
March 25, 2013

The history of superheroes on the screen falls into four distinct stages, each reflecting the ethos of their time.
The Superhero Backlash
Richard Rushfield
June 22, 2011

Anagram

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Today’s quote

All great truths begin as blasphemies.

– George Bernard Shaw

On this day

17 February 1933 – End of Prohibition, when the US Senate passes the Blaine Act.

17 February 1934 – birth of Barry Humphries, Australian comedian, famous for characters such as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.

17 February 2007 – Sylvester Stallone is held by Australian Customs for a couple of hours after prohibited items were confiscated from his baggage.