Attic, a. and n.1
(ˈætɪk)
[ad. L. Atticus, Gr. ἀττικός of Attica.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to Attica, or to its capital Athens; Athenian. Formerly = Greek.
| 1599 Broughton's Lett. 46 You..that arrogate to your selfe the Atticke Science [i.e. knowledge of Greek.] 1607 Dekker Knts. Conjur. (1842) 75 No Atticke eloquence is so sweete. 1835 Thirlwall Greece III. xviii, A wooden theatre still sufficed for the Attic drama. |
2. Having characteristics peculiarly Athenian; hence, of literary style, etc.: Marked by simple and refined elegance, pure, classical. Attic salt or Attic wit (L. sal Atticum): refined, delicate, poignant wit. Attic faith: inviolable faith.
| 1633 Batt. Lutzen in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) IV. 185 Written in a stile so attick..that it may well be called the French Tacitus. 1738 Pope Epil. Sat. ii. 85 While Roman Spirit charms, and Attic Wit. 1760 Sterne Tr. Shandy V. iii, Triumph swam in my father's eyes, at the repartee: the Attic salt brought water into them. 1830 T. Hamilton Cyr. Thornton (1845) 49 The true attic pronunciation inculcated in Mrs. Blenkinsop's academy. 1864 M. Arnold in Cornh. Mag. Aug. 164 Well, but Addison's prose is Attic prose. |
3. Attic base in Arch.: a base used for Ionic, Corinthian, and occasionally for Doric columns, consisting of an upper and lower torus divided by a scotia and two fillets. Attic order: a square column of any of the five orders.
| [1563 Shute Archit. E iiij a, That piller which Vitruuius nameth Atticurga or Attica.] 1601 Holland Pliny xxxvi. xxiii, Pillars..of the Atticke fashion..be made with foure corners, and the sides are equall. 1727–51 Chambers Cycl. s.v., The Attic is the most beautiful of all the bases. 1823 P. Nicholson Pract. Build. 493 The base is attic, as it is in most of the Roman antiques. |
B. n.1 A native of Attica, an Athenian (author).
| 1699 Bentley Phal. 390 A time when the Atticks were as unlearned as their neighbours. |