'Ethos' definitions:

Definition of 'ethos'

(from WordNet)
noun
(anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era; "the Greek ethos"

Definition of 'Ethos'

From: GCIDE
  • Ethos \E"thos\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? character. See Ethic.]
  • 1. The character, sentiment, or disposition of a community or people, considered as a natural endowment; the spirit which actuates manners and customs; also, the characteristic tone or genius of an institution or social organization. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • 2. (esthetics) The traits in a work of art which express the ideal or typic character -- character as influenced by the ethos (sense 1) of a people -- rather than realistic or emotional situations or individual character in a narrow sense; -- opposed to pathos. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Synonyms of 'ethos'

From: Moby Thesaurus