Definition of Zeitgeist

nocturnal Definition: (adjective) of the night; active at night. Petersons.com

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< zein

zek >

Zeit·geist    (tstgst, zt-) KEY  

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).

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ETYMOLOGY:
German : Zeit, time (from Middle High German zt, from Old High German; see d- in Indo-European roots) + Geist, spirit ; see poltergeist

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