[clas.sic] adj [F or L; F classique, fr. L classicus of the highest class of Roman citizens, of the first rank, fr. classis] (ca. 1604) 1 a: serving as a standard of excellence: of recognized value b: traditional, enduring c: characterized by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year "a ~ suit"
2: of or relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans or their culture: classical 3 a: historically memorable b: noted because of special literary or historical associations "Paris is the ~ refuge of expatriates"
4. a: authentic, authoritative b: typical "a ~ example of chicanery"
5. cap: of or relating to the period of highest development of Mesoamerican and esp. Mayan culture about a.d. 300-900
[2]classic n (1711) 1: a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome
2. a: a work of enduring excellence; also: its author b: an authoritative source
3: a typical or perfect example
4: a traditional event "a football ~"