/ ˈklæsɪkl; NAmE / adjective [ usually before noun ]
1.
widely accepted and used for a long time; traditional in style or idea :
the classical economics of Smith and Ricardo
the classical theory of unemployment
classical and modern ballet
2.
connected with or influenced by the culture of ancient Greece and Rome :
classical studies
a classical scholar (= an expert in Latin and Greek)
3.
( of music ) written in a Western musical tradition, usually using an established form (for example a symphony ) and not played on electronic instruments. Classical music is generally considered to be serious and to have a lasting value :
He plays classical music, as well as pop and jazz.
a classical composer / violinist
4.
= classic :
These are classical examples of food allergy.
5.
( of a language ) ancient in its form and no longer used in a spoken form :
classical Arabic
6.
simple and attractive :
the classical elegance of the design
► clas·sic·al·ly / ˈklæsɪkli; NAmE / adverb :
Her face is classically beautiful.
a classically trained singer
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (in the sense outstanding of its kind ): from Latin classicus belonging to a class (later of the highest class, from classis a division of the Roman people, a grade, or a class of pupils) + -al .