classic

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
  2. Exemplary of a particular style; defining a class or category; typical; archetypical; epitomic.
  3. Exhibiting timeless quality and excellence.
  4. Characteristic of or from the past; old; retro; vintage.
  5. Of or pertaining to the ancient Greeks and Romans, especially 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.
  6. Traditional; original.
noun
  1. A perfect and/or early example of a particular style.
  2. An artistic work of lasting worth, such as a film or song; a work of enduring excellence.
  3. The author of such a work.
  4. A major, long-standing sporting event.
  5. Any of the British Classic Races, five long-standing Group 1 horse races run during the traditional flat racing season.
  6. One learned in the literature of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome; a student of classical literature.

Pronunciation

/ˈklæs.ɪk/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-classic.wav

Word forms

classic more classic most classic classick classics

Etymology

From French classique, from Latin classic(us) (“relating to the classes of Roman citizenry, especially the highest”), from classis. By surface analysis, class + -ic. Piecewise doublet of classy.

Translations

Afrikaans: klassieke Bulgarian: кла́сика Chinese Mandarin: 經典 /经典 Chinese Mandarin: 名著 Danish: klassiker Dutch: klassieker Finnish: klassikko French: classique Georgian: კლასიკა German: Klassiker Hungarian: klasszikus Irish: clasaic Irish: clasaiceach Italian: classico Japanese: クラシック Japanese: 古典 Kazakh: классика Korean: 고전 Korean: 클래식 Māori: pakitūroa Portuguese: clássico Russian: кла́ссика Spanish: clásico Vietnamese: kinh điển Welsh: clasur
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