zeitgeist

Zeitgeist is defined as the spirit of a generation or a period of time.

(noun)

An example of zeitgeist is the free love and progressive thinking of the 1960s.

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See zeitgeist in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the spirit of the age; trend of thought and feeling in a period

Origin: Ger, time spirit

See zeitgeist in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
The spirit of the time; the taste and outlook characteristic of a period or generation: “It's easy to see how a student . . . in the 1940's could imbibe such notions. The Zeitgeist encouraged Philosopher-Kings” (James Atlas).

Origin:

Origin: German

Origin: : Zeit, time (from Middle High German zīt, from Old High German; see dā- in Indo-European roots)

Origin: + Geist, spirit; see poltergeist

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