ETHOS [ee-thos]

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: 

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The characteristic spirit of a culture, era or community as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations.

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2. the character or disposition of a community group, person, etc.

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3. the moral element in dramatic literature that determines a character's action rather than his or her thought or emotion.