classic

Noun · Adjective

Synonyms: authoritative classical definitive Greco-Roman Graeco-Roman Hellenic

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

a creation of the highest excellence
an artist who has created classic works

Adjective (3)

of recognized authority or excellence“the definitive work on Greece”“classical methods of navigation”Synonyms: authoritative classical definitive
of or relating to the most highly developed stage of an earlier civilisation and its culture“classic Cinese pottery”Synonyms: classical
of or pertaining to or characteristic of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures“classical mythology”“classical”Synonyms: classical Greco-Roman Graeco-Roman Hellenic

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Classic \Clas"sic\ (kl[a^]s"s[i^]k), Classical \Clas"sic*al\, a. [L. classicus relating to the classes of the Roman people, and especially to the frist class; hence, of the first rank, superior, from classis class: cf. F. classique. See Class, n.]

1.Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art. [1913 Webster]

Give, as thy last memorial to the age, One classic drama, and reform the stage.— Byron.[1913 Webster]

Mr. Greaves may justly be reckoned a classical author on this subject [Roman weights and coins].— Arbuthnot.[1913 Webster]

2.Of or pertaining to the ancient Greeks and Romans, esp. to Greek or Roman authors of the highest rank, or of the period when their best literature was produced; of or pertaining to places inhabited by the ancient Greeks and Romans, or rendered famous by their deeds. [1913 Webster]

Though throned midst Latium's classic plains.— Mrs. Hemans.[1913 Webster]

The epithet classical, as applied to ancient authors, is determined less by the purity of their style than by the period at which they wrote.— Brande & C.[1913 Webster]

He [Atterbury] directed the classical studies of the undergraduates of his college.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

3.Conforming to the best authority in literature and art; chaste; pure; refined; as, a classical style. [1913 Webster]

Classical, provincial, and national synods.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

Classicals orders. (Arch.) See under Order. [1913 Webster]

Classic \Clas"sic\, n.

1.A work of acknowledged excellence and authority, or its author; -- originally used of Greek and Latin works or authors, but now applied to authors and works of a like character in any language. [1913 Webster]

In is once raised him to the rank of a legitimate English classic.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

2.One learned in the literature of Greece and Rome, or a student of classical literature. [1913 Webster]

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

classic

<jargon> An adjective used before or after a noun to describe the original version of something, especially if the original is considered to be better.

Examples include "Star Trek Classic" - the original TV series as opposed to the films, ST The Next Generation or any of the other spin-offs and follow-ups; or "PC Classic" - IBM's ISA-bus computers as opposed to the PS/2 series.

(1996-10-27)