a. and sb. [ad. F. classique, or L. classic-us of the highest class, of the first order, f. classis: see CLASS sb. and -IC.
Gellius has ‘classicus … scriptor, non proletarius,’ where the word means ‘high-class,’ as opposed to ‘low’ (cf. proletarius sermo, Plautus), and this is the main sense of classique in Cotgr., as well as in our earliest examples. Littré however takes as his first sense of classique ‘Used in or belonging to the classes of colleges or schools’; and it is probable that this notion has influenced the word in its extension to the ancient authors generally, as studied in school or college, together with the associated languages, literature, history, geography, mythology, art, etc. It is probable, also, that the transference of the epithet from the first-class or standard writers in Greek and Latin to these languages themselves has been partly owing to the notion that the latter are intrinsically excellent or of the first order, in comparison with the modern tongues. But the extension has probably been in the main unthinking and unanalysed: the Greek and Roman authors read in school were actually the classical writers in these languages, and thus ‘classic’ became practically synonymous with ‘ancient Greek or Roman.’ Cf. also the modern L. locus classicus, the passage of first-rate authority or importance.]
A. adj.
1. Of the first class, of the highest rank or importance; approved as a model; standard, leading.
1613. R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Classick, chiefe, and approued.
1628. J. Doughty, Serm., 23. Yet would he by no meanes commend it for a classicke tenent [= tenet].
1644. Milton, Educ., Wks. (1847), 100/1. But in Latin we have none of classic authority extant.
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, I. III. 86. Classick writings in the Oriental Tongues.
1845. Nichol, Archit. Heav. (1851), 209. An investigation … carried out with a skill and perseverance which must render it ever classic in astronomy.
1880. Mac Cormac, Antisept. Surg., 206. Dupuytren’s classic operation for the division of the valve-like eperon.
1882. Pebody, Eng. Journalism, x. 73. The Morning Chronicle … soon became … the classic authority upon all questions of Parliamentary reporting.
2. Of or belonging to the standard authors and literature of Greek and Latin antiquity; also, of the art and culture of the same age.
1628. Earle, Microcosm., Pretend. Learn. (Arb.), 53. His Table is spred wide with some Classicke Folio.
1709. Felton, Diss. Classics (1713), 64 (J). With them the Genius of Classic Learning dwelleth.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 330, ¶ 4. All the Boys in the School, but I, have the Classick Authors in usum Delphini, gilt and letter’d on the Back.
1796. Coleridge, Poems (1862), 14. Where graced with many a classic spoil Cam rolls his reverend stream along.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, ‘Times,’ Wks. (Bohn), II. 119. The academic elegance, and classic allusion which adorn its columns.
1878. H. M. Stanley, Dark Cont., I. xvii. 457. Another statue to rival the classic Antinous.
1879. Sir G. Scott, Lect. Archit., II. 317. The Classic Renaissance.
3. More widely: Belonging to Greek and Latin antiquity.
1701. Addison, Lett. from Italy. Poetick fields encompass me around, And still I seem to tread on classick ground.
1833–48. H. Coleridge, North. Worthies, I. 8. Milton, then a young and enamoured roamer in classic lands.
1866. Kingsley, Herew., I. xii. 241. He had never felt the influence of classic civilisation.
4. In the style of the literature and art of Greek and Latin antiquity; = CLASSICAL 6. (Opposed to romantic.)
1744. Collins, Ep. Hanmer, 73. And classic judgment gain’d to sweet Racine The temperate strength of Maro’s chaster line.
1814. Q. Rev., Oct., 113. To distinguish the productions of antiquity by the appellation of classic, those of modern times by that of romantic. [Footnote] Madame de Staël has made the British public familiar with these expressions.
1841. Emerson, Ess., Ser. I. i. (1876), 28. The vaunted distinction between Greek and English, between Classic and Romantic schools, seems superficial and pedantic.
1878. Morley, Carlyle, 159. That permanence, which is only secured by classic form.
Mod. A classic purity of design.
5. transf. Of literary note, historically famous.
1787. Burns, Lett. to Dr. Moore, 23 April. After a few pilgrimages over some of the classic ground of Caledonia, Cowden Knowes, Banks of Yarrow, Tweed, &c.
1875. Jevons, Money (1878), 263. In the classic financial neighbourhood of Lombard Street.
6. In a burlesque or humorous sense: Approved, recognized ‘standard.’
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XI. lxv. (1702), 127 (R.). Beef and mutton and such classick Meats.
1821. Byron, Juan, III. xvii. Light classic articles of female want, French stuffs, lace, tweezers, toothpicks, teapot, tray.
b. Classic races: a name given to the five chief annual horse-races (the Two Thousand, One Thousand, Derby, Oaks and St. Leger).
1885. Graphic, 13 June, 599 (Hoppe). Monmouth was unfortunately not entered for the classic races.
† 7. = CLASSICAL 7. Obs.
c. 1645. Milton, Sonn., New Forcers Consc., 7. To force our consciences that Christ set free, And ride us with a classick hierarchy. Ibid. (1648), Tenure Kings, 6. While the hope to bee made Classic and Provinciall Lords led them on.
B. sb.
1. A writer, or a literary work, of the first rank and of acknowledged excellence; esp. (as originally used) in Greek or Latin. Hence,
a. Any ancient Greek or Latin writer; frequently in pl. for: The general body of Greek and Latin literature.
1711. H. Felton (title), Dissertation on reading the Classics.
1726. Swift, Young’s Sat. If clergymen to shew their wit Praise classicks more than holy writ.
1748. Chesterf., Lett., II. cxlii. 6. Others to shew their learning … are always talking of the ancients…. They are never without a classic or two in their pockets.
1797. Godwin, Enquirer, I. vi. 36. Ought the study of the classics to form a part of the education of youth?
1887. F. E. Gretton, Classical Coincid., Introd. ’Tis sixty years exactly since I first ventured to teach Classics to others, because I so much delighted in them myself.
b. in other literature.
1737. Pope, Hor. Epist., II. i. 56. Fix the year precise When British bards begin to immortalize. Who lasts a century, can have no flaw; I hold that wit a classic, good in law.
1756–82. J. Warton, Ess. Pope, II. 218. That happy Horatian mixture of jest and earnest, that contribute to place Despreaux at the head of modern classics.
1841. D’Israeli, Amer. Lit. (1867), 103. Dante was the classic of his country.
1876. Lowell, Among my Bks., Ser. II. 126. A classic is properly a book which maintains itself by virtue of that happy coalescence of matter and style.
1878. R. W. Dale, Lect. Preach., v. 170. The poets who have won their place among English Classics.
c. extended to art.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), III. 26. Sir Peter Lely, not only the most capital painter of this reign, but whose works are admitted amongst the classics of the art.
1836. Dubourg, Violin, ix. (1878), 266. The later Tyrolese makers have been rendered the great source of deception by dealers … their instruments having been made to pass as classics.
2. A student of Greek and Latin literature, a classical scholar.
1805. K. White, Lett., 18 Oct. I find I am a respectable classic.
1833. Lamb, Last Ess. Elia, Poor Relations, 417. A fine classic, and a youth of promise.
3. One who adheres to classical rules and models. (Opposed to romantic.)
1885. Athenæum, 22 Aug., 229/2. In matters of form this poet is no romantic, but a classic to the finger-tips.
4. Short for classic style, art, etc. (see adj. 4).
1864. Burton, Scot Abr., I. v. 294. The transition between the classic and the Gothic.
1864. Lowell, Fireside Trav., 170. Naked sun meets naked sea, the true classic of nature.
