Zeitgeist
The concept of an invisible agent or force dominating the characteristics of a given epoch in world history.
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Origin
A German compound of Zeit ('time') and Geist ('spirit'), introduced in 1769 by Johann Gottfried Herder as a translation of the Latin genius seculi. Though often associated with Hegel, the coinage and popularization belong primarily to Herder and Goethe.
Updated February 22, 2026