L'esprit du temps
Example: L'esprit du temps influence profondément les mouvements artistiques modernes.
Definition
"L'esprit du temps" refers to the defining spirit, mood, or cultural climate of a particular period in history. It captures the general intellectual, moral, and cultural atmosphere that shapes artistic, social, and political movements during that time.
Etymology
The phrase "l'esprit du temps" comes from French, literally meaning 'the spirit of the time.' It combines 'esprit' (spirit or mind) and 'temps' (time), reflecting how the collective mindset or cultural essence of an era influences its character. Did you know? This concept is closely related to the German term 'Zeitgeist,' which carries the same meaning.
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"L'esprit du temps" appears in the Vocaplus list "French - General - (C2) - set 1", containing 95 commonly used words.
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