members of the generation that came of age after World War II who, supposedly as a result of disillusionment stemming from the Cold War, espoused forms of mysticism and the relaxation of social and sexual inhibitions.
Also, beat generation .
[ 1950-55; appar. BEAT, though the sense intended by earliest users of the phrase is not clear; the association with BEATITUDE later made by Jack Kerouac is prob. fanciful ]