The spirit of the age
Example: The spirit of the age influenced art and politics deeply.
Definition
"The spirit of the age" refers to the prevailing cultural, intellectual, and moral climate or ethos characteristic of a particular historical period, influencing the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of people during that time. It shapes art, politics, and social norms significantly.
Etymology
The phrase "the spirit of the age" originates from the German term 'Zeitgeist,' which combines 'Zeit' meaning 'time' and 'Geist' meaning 'spirit' or 'ghost.' It was popularized in the early 19th century to describe the dominant set of ideals and beliefs defining an era. Did you know it captures the invisible yet powerful mood that defines each generation?
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"The spirit of the age" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - History - (B2) - set 1", containing 210 commonly used words.
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