ethos

Published: Sept. 10, 2024, 5 a.m.

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\n \n Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 10, 2024 is:\n \n

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\n ethos • \\EE-thahss\\  • noun
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Ethos refers to the guiding beliefs of a person, group, or organization.

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// The company made environmental awareness part of its business ethos.

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See the entry >

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\n Examples:
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\u201c[Audre] Lorde\u2019s parents, Alexis De Veaux writes in Warrior Poet, her excellent 2004 biography of Lorde, operated under a familiar immigrant ethos: \u2018upward mobility, proper behavior, good morals, an emphasis on education, and a strong work ethic were stressed.\u2019\u201d \u2014 Tomi Obaro, LitHub.com, 9 Aug. 2023

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\n Did you know?
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In Greek, \u0113thos means \u201ccustom\u201d or \u201ccharacter.\u201d As originally used by Aristotle, it referred to a person\u2019s character or personality, especially with respect to a balance between passion and caution. In English, ethos is used today to refer to the practices or values that distinguish one person, organization, or society from others. In rhetoric, ethos is often studied alongside pathos and logos as a technique to successfully persuade an audience. Related terms in the English language include ethics (\u201ca branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right or wrong\u201d) and ethology (\u201ca branch of knowledge dealing with human character and with its formation and evolution\u201d). \u202f

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