The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ETHOS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
E
T
H
O
S
More clues leading to the result ETHOS
- Character reference fraudulent, with no truthfulness, all concluding
- Sailor accompanies ancient character in spirit
- European, however small, displaying spirit
- Character in Barnet Hospital
- Distinctive character in Newmarket hostelry
- Spirit of yonder people promoting Ecstasy
- Standards maintained by internet hosting
- Those back to front beliefs
- Distinctive character in quiet hostelry
- The novel with very uplifting character
Buddy explains!
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ETHOS mean?
ETHOS noun- The character or fundamental values of a person, people, culture, or movement.
- A form of rhetoric in which the writer or speaker invokes their authority, competence or expertise in an attempt to persuade others that their view is correct.
- (aesthetics) The traits in a work of art which express the ideal or typic character, as influenced by the ethos (character or fundamental values) of a people, rather than realistic or emotional situations or individual character in a narrow sense; opposed to pathos.