ethos

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 10, 2024 is: ethos \EE-thahss\ noun Ethos refers to the guiding beliefs of a person, group, or organization. // The company made environmental awareness part of its business ethos. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethos) Examples: “[[Audre] Lorde’s](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Audre-Lorde) parents, Alexis De Veaux writes in Warrior Poet, her excellent 2004 biography of Lorde, operated under a familiar immigrant ethos: ‘upward mobility, proper behavior, good morals, an emphasis on education, and a strong work ethic were stressed.’” — Tomi Obaro, LitHub.com, 9 Aug. 2023 Did you know? In Greek, ēthos means “custom” or “character.” As originally used by Aristotle, it referred to a person’s 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](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/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](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethic) (“a branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right or wrong”) and [ethology](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethology) (“a branch of knowledge dealing with human character and with its formation and evolution”).