genius loci

English

Etymology

From Latin genius (“lar”) + locī (“of (a) place”), genitive singular form of locus (“place, location”) = “(guardian) spirit of a place”.

Pronunciation

(General American) enPR: gĕʹnĭo͝os' lōʹki, jēʹnyəs lōʹkī, jēʹnyəs lōʹsī, IPA^(key): /ˈɡɛnɪˌʊs ˈloʊki/, /ˈd͡ʒinjəs ˈloʊkaɪ/, /ˈd͡ʒinjəs ˈloʊsaɪ/
(Received Pronunciation) enPR: gĕʹnĭo͝os' lōʹki, jēʹnyəs lōʹkī, jēʹnyəs lōʹsī, IPA^(key): /ˈɡɛnɪˌʊs ˈləʊki/, /ˈd͡ʒinjəs ˈləʊkaɪ/, /ˈd͡ʒinjəs ˈləʊsaɪ/

Noun

genius loci (plural genii loci or genii locorum)

The spirit or one of the spirits presiding over or guarding a particular place, such as a glade or pool.
The geist, distinctive atmosphere, or characteristic spirit of a place, especially when regarded as an artistic muse.

Usage notes

The c in loci is usually hard (pronounced k), retaining pronunciatory similarity with locorum and with the related noun locus.
The plural form genii loci is used for multiple spirits of a single place, whereas genii locorum refers to multiple spirits of multiple places; the rare related singular noun genius locorum refers to a single spirit having presidency or guardianship over multiple places.

Synonyms

Coordinate terms

genius locorum - The spirit or one of the spirits presiding over or guarding multiple locations.
genius hominis - The spirit or one of the spirits presiding over or guarding a particular person.
genius familiae - The spirit or one of the spirits presiding over or guarding a particular family.

Translations

Genius Loci

Japanese: 地霊 (ちれい, chirei)

References

“‖genius loci” listed as a phrase featuring the word genius, listed in the Oxford English Dictionary [2^nd Ed.; 1989]
“ge⋅ni⋅us lo⋅ci defined by Dictionary.com Unabridged, © Random House, Inc. 2009.

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