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Entry 5 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Classic

/(klăs"sĭk)/ · Clas·sic · IPA /ˈklæs.ɪk/
01 a. Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
  1. 1.
    Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
    “Give, as thy last memorial to the age, One classic drama, and reform the stage.” — Byron.
    “Mr. Greaves may justly be reckoned a classical author on this subject [Roman weights and coins].” — Arbuthnot.
  2. 2.
    Of or pertaining to the ancient Greeks and Romans, esp. to Greek or Roman authors of the highest rank, or of the period when their best literature was produced; of or pertaining to places inhabited by the ancient Greeks and Romans, or rendered famous by their deeds.
    “Though throned midst Latium's classic plains.” — Mrs. Hemans.
    “The epithet classical, as applied to ancient authors, is determined less by the purity of their style than by the period at which they wrote.” — Brande & C.
    “He [Atterbury] directed the classical studies of the undergraduates of his college.” — Macaulay.
  3. 3.
    Conforming to the best authority in literature and art; chaste; pure; refined; as, a classical style.
    “Classical, provincial, and national synods.” — Macaulay.
Phrases & compounds
Classicals orders — See under Order.
02 n. A work of acknowledged excellence and authority, or its author; -- originally used of Greek and Latin works or authors, but now applied to …
  1. 1.
    A work of acknowledged excellence and authority, or its author; -- originally used of Greek and Latin works or authors, but now applied to authors and works of a like character in any language.
    “In is once raised him to the rank of a legitimate English classic.” — Macaulay.
  2. 2.
    One learned in the literature of Greece and Rome, or a student of classical literature.