classic, a. and n.
(ˈklæsɪk)
[ad. F. classique, or L. classic-us of the highest class, of the first order, f. classis: see class n. and -ic.
Gellius has ‘classicus..scriptor, non proletarius’, where the word means ‘high-class’, as opposed to ‘low’ (cf. proletarius sermo, Plautus), and this is the main sense of classique in Cotgr., as well as in our earliest examples. Littré however takes as his first sense of classique ‘Used in or belonging to the classes of colleges or schools’; and it is probable that this notion has influenced the word in its extension to the ancient authors generally, as studied in school or college, together with the associated languages, literature, history, geography, mythology, art, etc. It is probable, also, that the transference of the epithet from the first-class or standard writers in Greek and Latin to these languages themselves has been partly owing to the notion that the latter are intrinsically excellent or of the first order, in comparison with the modern tongues. But the extension has probably been in the main unthinking and unanalysed: the Greek and Roman authors read in school were actually the classical writers in these languages, and thus ‘classic’ became practically synonymous with ‘ancient Greek or Roman’. Cf. also the modern L. locus classicus, the passage of first-rate authority or importance.]
A. adj.
1. Of the first class, of the highest rank or importance; approved as a model; standard, leading.
| 1613 R. C. Table Alph. (ed. 3), Classick, chiefe, and approued. 1628 J. Doughty Serm. 23 Yet would he by no meanes commend it for a classicke tenent [= tenet]. 1644 Milton Educ. Wks. (1847) 100/1 But in Latin we have none of classic authority extant. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals i. iii. 86 Classick writings in the Oriental Tongues. 1845 Nichol Archit. Heav. (1851) 209 An investigation..carried out with a skill and perseverance which must render it ever classic in astronomy. 1880 Mac Cormac Antisept. Surg. 206 Dupuytren's classic operation for the division of the valve-like eperon. 1882 C. Pebody Eng. Journalism x. 73 The Morning Chronicle..soon became..the classic authority upon all questions of Parliamentary reporting. |
2. Of or belonging to the standard authors and literature of Greek and Latin antiquity; also, of the art and culture of the same age.
| 1628 Earle Microcosm., Pretend. Learn. (Arb.) 53 His Table is spred wide with some Classicke Folio. 1711 Felton Classicks (J)., With them the genius of classick learning dwelleth. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 330 ¶4 All the Boys in the School, but I, have the Classick Authors in usum Delphini, gilt and letter'd on the Back. 1796 Coleridge Poems (1862) 14 Where graced with many a classic spoil Cam rolls his reverend stream along. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits, ‘Times’ Wks. (Bohn) II. 119 The academic elegance, and classic allusion which adorn its columns. 1878 H. M. Stanley Dark Cont. I. xvii. 457 Another statue to rival the classic Antinous. 1879 Sir G. Scott Lect. Archit. II. 317 The Classic Renaissance. |
3. More widely: Belonging to Greek and Latin antiquity.
| 1701 Addison Lett. from Italy, Poetick fields encompass me around, And still I seem to tread on classick ground. 1833–48 H. Coleridge North. Worthies I. 8 Milton, then a young and enamoured roamer in classic lands. 1866 Kingsley Herew. xii. 164 He had never felt the influence of classic civilization. |
4. In the style of the literature and art of Greek and Latin antiquity; = classical 6. (Opposed to romantic.)
| 1744 Collins Ep. Hanmer 73 And classic judgment gain'd to sweet Racine The temperate strength of Maro's chaster line. 1814 Q. Rev. Oct. 113 To distinguish the productions of antiquity by the appellation of classic, those of modern times by that of romantic. [Footnote] Madame de Staël has made the British public familiar with these expressions. 1841 Emerson Ess. Ser. i. i. (1876) 28 The vaunted distinction between Greek and English, between Classic and Romantic schools, seems superficial and pedantic. 1878 Morley Carlyle 159 That permanence, which is only secured by classic form. Mod. A classic purity of design. |
5. transf. Of literary note, historically famous.
| 1787 Burns Let. to Dr. Moore 23 April, After a few pilgrimages over some of the classic ground of Caledonia, Cowden Knowes, Banks of Yarrow, Tweed, etc. 1875 Jevons Money (1878) 263 In the classic financial neighbourhood of Lombard Street. |
6. a. In a burlesque or humorous sense: Approved, recognized ‘standard’.
| 1648 J. Beaumont Psyche xi. lxv. (R.), Beef and mutton and such classick meats. 1821 Byron Juan iii. xvii, Light classic articles of female want, French stuffs, lace, tweezers, toothpicks, teapot, tray. |
b. classic races: a name given to the five chief annual horse-races (the Two Thousand, One Thousand, Derby, Oaks and St. Leger).
| 1885 Graphic 13 June 599 (Hoppe) Monmouth was unfortunately not entered for the classic races. |
c. Of clothes: made in simple, conventional styles that are almost unaffected by changes in fashions.
| 1937 Night & Day 19 Aug. 20/2 [Weatherall's] stick to what they call their classic blouse because it's always in demand. 1960 Guardian 21 July 7/7 Among the..long evening dresses there are..a large proportion of ‘classic’ models with fitted bodices and full skirts. |
† 7. = classical 7. Obs.
| c 1645 Milton Sonn., On new Forcers Consc. 7 To force our consciences that Christ set free, And ride us with a classick hierarchy. 1648 ― Tenure Kings 6 While the hope to bee made Classic and Provinciall Lords led them on. |
8. With capital initial. Of or pertaining to a period of advanced Meso-American civilization (c 300–900), esp. to that of the Mayas. Cf. post-classic a. b, pre-classic a.
| 1930 H. S. Gladwin in Arizona Hist. Rev. Apr. 73 It has shown that, from the earliest period, growth was steady and rapid up to the climax of the Classic or Pueblo iii period. 1948 A. L. Kroeber Anthropol. (rev. ed.) xviii. 796 Another misconception is due to terminology: the division of Mayan prehistory into ‘Old Empire’ and ‘New Empire’... So the terms ‘Classic Maya’ and ‘Late’ or ‘Retractile Maya’ will be used here instead. 1956 S. G. Morley Anc. Maya (rev. ed.) iii. 40 Maya civilization, as the term is used in this book, refers only to the culture of the Classic stage. 1961 G. Clark World Prehist. ix. 224 Once the civilizations of Mesoamerica and the Andes had achieved their Classic form, technical progress..was much slower. 1974 Encycl. Brit. Macropædia XI. 939/1 Dates are given in the 52-year Calendar Round, with coefficients for days and months expressed by bar-and-dot numerals, a system that is first known for Monte Albán I and that became characteristic of the Classic Maya. Throughout its long Formative and Classic occupation, the dominant ware of Monte Albán is a fine gray pottery. 1978 Times Atlas World Hist. 46/3 The conventional starting date for the Classic Period of Meso-american civilisation is ad 300, a time of intellectual and artistic climax. Ibid., The Classic Maya were preoccupied with the passage of time. |
B. n.
1. A writer, or a literary work, of the first rank and of acknowledged excellence; esp. (as originally used) in Greek or Latin. Hence, a. Any ancient Greek or Latin writer; frequently in pl. for: The general body of Greek and Latin literature.
| 1711 H. Felton (title), Dissertation on reading the Classics. 1726 Swift Young's Sat., If clergymen to shew their wit Praise classicks more than holy writ. 1748 Chesterfield Lett. II. cxlii. 6 Others to shew their learning..are always talking of the ancients..They are never without a classic or two in their pockets. 1797 Godwin Enquirer i. vi. 36 Ought the study of the classics to form a part of the education of youth? 1887 F. E. Gretton Classical Coincid. Introd., 'Tis sixty years..since I first ventured to teach Classics. |
b. in other literature.
| 1725 G. Sewell Pope's Shakespeare. VII. Pref. p. vii, What then has been done by the really Learned to the dead Languages,..we in Justice owe to our own great Writers, both in Prose, and Poetry. They are in some degree our Classics; on their Foundation we must build, as the Formers and Refiners of our Language. 1737 Pope Hor. Epist. ii. i. 56 Fix the year precise When British bards begin to immortalize. Who lasts a century, can have no flaw; I hold that wit a classic, good in law. 1756–82 J. Warton Ess. Pope II. 218 That happy Horatian mixture of jest and earnest, that contribute to place Despreaux at the head of modern classics. 1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 103 Dante was the classic of his country. 1876 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. ii. 126 A classic is properly a book which maintains itself by virtue of that happy coalescence of matter and style. 1878 R. W. Dale Lect. Preach. v. 170 The poets who have won their place among English Classics. |
c. extended to art. Also of music and composers.
| 1762–71 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) III. 26 Sir Peter Lely, not only the most capital painter of this reign, but whose works are admitted amongst the classics of the art. 1836 Dubourg Violin ix. (1878) 266 The later Tyrolese makers have been rendered the great source of deception by dealers..their instruments having been made to pass as classics. 1889 G. B. Shaw How to become Mus. Critic (1960) 160 Wagner did not succeed in putting dulness out of countenance until he became a classic himself. 1889 ― London Music 1888–89 (1937) 240 The glees, madrigals, and motets and services which are the true English musical classics. 1926 Whiteman & McBride Jazz viii. 180 When you are listening to your favorite jazz tune, you are most likely absorbing strains that are most classic of all the classics. |
2. A student of Greek and Latin literature, a classical scholar.
| 1805 K. White Lett. 18 Oct., I find I am a respectable classic. 1833 Lamb Last Ess. Elia, Poor Relations 417 A fine classic, and a youth of promise. |
3. One who adheres to classical rules and models. (Opposed to romantic.)
| 1885 Athenæum 22 Aug. 229/2 In matters of form this poet is no romantic, but a classic to the finger-tips. |
4. Short for classic style, art, etc. (see adj. 4).
| 1864 Burton Scot Abr. I. v. 294 The transition between the classic and the Gothic. 1864 Lowell Fireside Trav. 170 Naked sun meets naked sea, the true classic of nature. |
5. Short for classic race (see A. 6 b); also, the prize for one of these races.
| 1905 Daily Chron. 3 May 7/4 To witness the race for the first ‘classic’ of the season. 1907 Ibid. 2 May 7/5 The first of the ‘classics’ was considered..to be at the mercy of Captain Greer's handsome black. 1951 E. Rickman Come Racing ii. 14 The five ‘classics’—the Two Thousand Guineas, One Thousand, Derby, Oaks and St. Leger. |
6. A classic garment (see A. 6 c).
| 1948 M. Laski in New Statesman 13 Nov. 416/3 Classic, English garment (shoes, hat, suit) barely susceptible to fashion changes. 1960 Guardian 9 Dec. 8/4 Present-day teenage styles are already classics and have little or nothing to do with real fashion trends. |
7. The Classic period of Meso-American civilization. See sense 8 of the adj.
| 1955 Amer. Anthropol. LVII. 775 In drawing the line between Formative and Classic on the north coast of Peru, it is our opinion that it should fall somewhere during the Gallinazo period. 1973 Times 26 July 18/4 A group of three large house mounds..was chosen for excavation to examine the sequence and continuity of occupation of a possibly typical domestic unit, abandoned presumably at the end of the Classic. |