genius loci

ge·ni·us lo·ci

(jē′nē-əs lō′sī′, -kē, -kī)

1. The distinctive atmosphere or pervading spirit of a place.

2. The guardian deity of a place.

[Latin genius locī : genius, spirit + locī, genitive sing. of locus, place.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

genius loci

(ˈdʒiːnɪəs ˈləʊsaɪ)

1. the guardian spirit of a place

2. the special atmosphere of a particular place

[genius of the place]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ge•ni•us lo•ci

(ˈgɛn ɪˌʊs ˈloʊ ki; Eng. ˈdʒi ni əs ˈloʊ saɪ, -kaɪ)

n. Latin.

1. guardian of a place.

2. the distinctive atmosphere of a place.

genius loci

A Latin phrase meaning the spirit of a place, used to mean the typical atmosphere or ambience of a place.

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Noun	1.	genius loci - the special atmosphere of a place ambiance, ambience, atmosphere - a particular environment or surrounding influence; "there was an atmosphere of excitement"
	2.	genius loci - the guardian spirit of a place guardian angel, guardian spirit - an angel believed to have special affection for a particular individual

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I'm a believer in the genius loci. You smile, Friend Watson.

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If his next slow film features silent dancers in slow motion, with freeze frames serving as highlights after every three or four scenes, while the allegorical narrative serves up painful reality in spades, why, then that'll just be one more step in his resolute path through genius loci. Steadfastly, he invokes and preserves the spirit of place.

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