Clas"sic, n. 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. One learned in the literature of
Greece and Rome, or a student of classical literature.
{ Clas"sic (?), Clas"sic*al (?), }
a. [L. classicus relating to the classes
of the Roman people, and especially to the frist class; hence, of
the first rank, superior, from classis class: cf. F.
classique. See Class, n.]
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. 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. Conforming to the best authority in
literature and art; chaste; pure; refined; as, a classical
style.
Classical, provincial, and national
synods.
Macaulay.
Classicals orders. (Arch.) See
under Order.