I. ˈklasik, -aas-, -ēk adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French classique, from Latin classicus of the classes of the Roman people, of the first class, of the first rank, from classis class — more at class
1.
a. : of the highest quality or rank : having recognized and permanent value : of enduring interest and appeal — used especially of literature, art, and music
his achievement as a writer was that out of his knowledge of common speech he forged a classic prose
a classic quartet for strings
b. : forming part of the permanent cultural achievement of mankind : felt to be among the great works especially literary and artistic of mankind
the annals of the Jews and the Scots have become a classic heritage
the really classic products of the human imagination endure for all time
c. : characterized by simple tailored lines correct for a variety of places and occasions and basically in fashion year after year — used of wearing apparel
2. : classical II 2
3.
a. : classical II 3a, 3b(5), 3c
b. usually capitalized
(1) : of or belonging to the Hohokam culture of the period A.D. 1150-1400 characterized by polished red pottery, houses having solid walls and contiguous rooms, and artifacts for use rather than ornament
(2) : of or relating to the culture of the Old Empire period of the Maya
c. of a postage stamp : obsolete and scarce and having special significance in postal or philatelic history ; especially : dating from mid-19th century when postage stamps first came into use
4.
a. : historically memorable
their execution became a classic national tragedy
b. : noted because of special literary or historical associations
the classic districts of London
c. : well known as customary or traditional
Paris, the classic refuge of expatriates
5. : particularly definitive, reliable, or authoritative — used generally of reference works and scholarly studies
a classic study of the American Indian
6.
a. : standard or recognized especially because of great frequency or consistency of occurrence
classic symptoms of pneumonia
a classic appeal to patriotism
b. : typical or regarded as typical : ideally illustrative
a classic instance of guilt by association
he had the classic eccentricities of the absent-minded professor
7.
a. : particularly appropriate or effective (to a given end)
his appointment was a classic answer to many problems
b. : basic and often traditional to an art or skill
he demonstrated the five classic passes in bullfighting
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a work of literature of ancient Greece or Rome
b. : the body of such writings
study of the classics is no longer required for a college degree
— usually used in plural and with the
c. archaic : a student of the literature of Greece and Rome
2.
a. : a work that is classic
his manual of botany has become a classic among scientists
b. : a work especially of literature, art, or music meriting the highest respect
a classic of operettas
c. : the author of any such work
he had already become a classic many years before his death
3. : something regarded as perfect of its kind or fitting to serve as a model
his march through the wilderness of Maine has been regarded as a classic of perseverance
4. : a traditional contest or race having special significance and honorific value
the racing classic at Churchill Downs
5. : a classic article of clothing
6. : a classic postage stamp