classic

• classick (obsolete)

From French classique, from Latin classicus (“relating to the classes of Roman citizenry, especially the highest”), from classis

• IPA^(key): /ˈklæ.sɪk/
• Rhymes: -æsɪk

classic (comparative more classic, superlative most classic)

1. Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
   • 1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond

     During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant […]

   • (Can we date this quote?) Lord Byron

     Give, as thy last memorial to the age, / One classic drama, and reform the stage.

2. Exemplary of a particular style; defining a class/category.
3. Exhibiting timeless quality.
   • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 20, in The China Governess‎:

     The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.

   • 2013 January 1, Paul Bartel, Ashli Moore, “Avian Migration: The Ultimate Red-Eye Flight”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 1, page 47–48:

     Many of these classic methods are still used, with some modern improvements. For example, with the aid of special microphones and automated sound detection software, ornithologists recently reported […] that pine siskins (Spinus pinus) undergo an irregular, nomadic type of nocturnal migration.

4. 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.
   • (Can we date this quote?) Felicia Hemans

     Though throned midst Latium's classic plains.

5. (euphemistic) Traditional; original.

   Users who dislike the new visual layout can return to classic mode.

classic (plural classics)

1. A perfect and/or early example of a particular style.
2. An artistic work of lasting worth, such as a film or song.
   • 2001, Jeff Nathanson, Rush Hour 2‎, New Line Cinema:

     JAMES CARTER: The man's destroying a classic!

3. The author of such a work.
   • (Can we date this quote?) Macaulay

     Raised him to the rank of a legitimate English classic.

4. A major, long-standing sporting event
5. (dated) One learned in the literature of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome; a student of classical literature.

• classical
• classics

• classic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• classic in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• classic at OneLook Dictionary Search
• classical, classic at Google Ngram Viewer