ETHOS

E″thos (?), n. [[L., fr. Gr. � character. See Ethic.]] 1. 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.
2. 2. (Æsthetics) 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.