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classic. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
classic, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
classic in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
classic you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From French classique, from Latin classicus (“relating to the classes of Roman citizenry, especially the highest”), from classis. By surface analysis, class + -ic.
Pronunciation
Adjective
classic (comparative more classic, superlative most classic)
- Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond:During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant […]
- Exemplary of a particular style; defining a class/category; typical.
- Exhibiting timeless quality and excellence.
- "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a 1960 classic book by Harper Lee.
- Characteristic of or from the past; old; retro; vintage.
watching classic movies as a hobby
- Of or pertaining to the ancient Greeks and Romans, especially 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.
- Traditional; original.
Users who dislike the new visual layout can return to classic mode.
2013 January 1, Paul Bartel, Ashli Moore, “Avian Migration: The Ultimate Red-Eye Flight”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 1, pages 47–48:Many of these classic methods are still used, with some modern improvements. For example, with the aid of special microphones and automated sound detection software, ornithologists recently reported […] that pine siskins (Spinus pinus) undergo an irregular, nomadic type of nocturnal migration.
Usage notes
See classical § Usage notes.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
of or relating to the first class or rank
exemplary of a particular style
exhibiting timeless quality
of or pertaining to the ancient Greeks and Romans
Noun
classic (plural classics)
- A perfect and/or early example of a particular style.
- An artistic work of lasting worth, such as a film or song; a work of enduring excellence.
2001, Jeff Nathanson, Rush Hour 2, New Line Cinema:JAMES CARTER: The man's destroying a classic!
- The author of such a work.
1856 February, [Thomas Babington] Macaulay, “[Contributions to the Encyclopædia Britannica.] Oliver Goldsmith.”, in T[homas] F[lower] E[llis], editor, The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, new edition, London: Longman, Green, Reader, & Dyer, published 1871, →OCLC, page 366:It was the first work to which he had put his name; and it at once raised him to the rank of a legitimate English classic.
- A major, long-standing sporting event.
- (horse racing) Any of the British Classic Races, five long-standing Group 1 horse races run during the traditional flat racing season.
2012, Dr Joyce Kay, Professor Wray Vamplew, Encyclopedia of British Horse Racing, page 316:The goal of the top horses was to win a Classic (or preferably three, thus claiming the Triple Crown) or the Ascot Gold Cup, […]
- (dated) One learned in the literature of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome; a student of classical literature.
Translations
See also
Further reading
- “classic”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “classic”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “classic”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
- classical, classic at Google Ngram Viewer