\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.
2. ([AE]sthetics) 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}.