a. [f. L. classic-us (see prec.) + -AL.]
1. Of the first rank or authority; constituting a standard or model; especially in literature.
1599. Sandys, Europæ Spec. (1632), 91. This man … is now … alleaged as classicall and Canonicall.
1603–11. Bp. Hall, Epist., VI. i. Those later Doctors, which want nothing but age to make them classicall.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., s.v., Authors … of good credit and authority in the Schools, termed Classici Scriptores, Classical Authors.
1824. L. Murray, Eng. Gram., I. 427. Classical authority consists of speakers and writers, who are deservedly in high estimation.
1838–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., II. II. iv. § 14. 123. Montaigne is the earliest classical writer in the French language.
1868. Rogers, Pol. Econ., xxi. (ed. 3), 273. Those rules of taxation which have been laid down by Adam Smith and have become classical.
2. Of the standard Greek and Latin writers; belonging to the literature or art of Greek and Roman antiquity.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1673), 566. Avicenna attributeth certain things to Weasels flesh only, which the classicall Authors rather ascribe to the powder of Weasels.
1838–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., I. I. i. § 2. 2. That learning which had been accumulated in the Latin and Greek languages, and which we call ancient or classical.
1841. W. Spalding, Italy & It. Isl., I. 148. Some isolated sections of classical art.
3. Of persons: Learned in the classics, i.e., in ancient Greek and Latin literature.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 147, ¶ 2. These are often pretty Classical Scholars.
1802. Dibdin, Introd. Classics, 20, note. The Classical World is no doubt aware [etc.].
1845. Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., II. IV. i. 315. He belonged to the classical school of Italy of that time.
1857. Buckle, Civiliz., I. xiii. 743. The authority wielded by the great classical scholars, rested not only on their abilities, which are undeniable, but also on the supposed dignity of their pursuits.
4. Of or pertaining to Greek and Latin literature and antiquities; relating to the classics.
1839. Ld. Brougham, Statem. Geo. III., Ser. I. Sheridan, 210. He [Sheridan] brought away from school a very slender provision of classical learning.
1860. Bright, Sp. Church-rates (1868), 546/2. It is one of the faults of a high classical education.
1876. Grant, Burgh Sch. Scotl., II. xiii. 346. The thorough character of the classical instruction imparted at our higher grammar schools.
5. = CLASSIC a. 5.
1820. Scott, Monast., v. The many fine bridges which have since been built across that classical stream [the Tweed].
6. Of literature: Conforming in style or composition to the rules or models of Greek and Latin antiquity; hence transf. to art having similar qualities of style (see quot. 1885); opposed to Romantic.
1820. Byron, Let. Goethe, 14 Oct. I perceive that in Germany as well as in Italy, there is a great struggle about what they call Classical and Romantic.
1864. M. Arnold, in Cornh. Mag., Aug., 165. The problem is to express new and profound ideas in a perfectly sound and classical style.
1864. Spectator, 20 Aug., 964/1. Matthew Arnold … that most classical of English critics … ‘classical’ … we mean … to express also the contraction and self-satisfied equanimity of his own school of criticism.
1885. J. C. Fillmore, Pianof. Music (ed. Prentice), 47. The classical ideal is predominantly an intellectual one. Its products are characterised by clearness of thought, by completeness and symmetry, by harmonious proportion, by simplicity and repose…. Classical works, whether musical or literary, are positive, clear, finished.
b. Of painting, landscape, etc.
1860. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., V. IX. v. 246. A school of art properly called ‘classical.’… The school is, therefore, generally to be characterized as that of taste and restraint. Ibid., 247. The classical landscape, properly so called, is therefore the representative of perfectly trained and civilised human life, associated with perfect natural scenery and with decorative spiritual powers.
c. Of music: (see quot. 1885).
1836. Musical Libr., Supp. III. 64 (title), What is the meaning of the word ‘classical’ in a musical sense?
1885. J. C. Fillmore, Pianof. Music, 79–80. ‘Classic’ is used in two senses. In the one it means, having permanent interest and value…. In the second sense … music written in a particular style, aiming at the embodiment of a certain ideal, the chief element of which is beauty of form…. In classical music, in this sense, form is first and emotional content subordinate; in romantic music content is first and form subordinate.
7. Hist. Of or pertaining to a classis in a Presbyterian Church (see CLASSIS 3); belonging to this system of church-government.
1586. T. Rogers, 39 Art. (1621), 334. To take new callings from classical ministers, renouncing their calling from bishops.
1646. Westm. Assemb. Form Ch. Govt. By several sorts of assemblies, which are congregational, classical, and synodical.
1699–1700. Bp. Nicolson, Lett. to Yates, 15 March, Lett. 1809, I. 166 (T.). Mr. Baxter, who takes great pains to unite the Classical and Congregational brethren, but claws off the Episcopal party.
1736. Neal, Hist. Purit., III. 385. The City and Suburbs of London had been formed into a Province, and divided into twelve classical Presbyteries.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 159. The Independents had no disposition to enforce the ordinances touching classical, provincial, and national synods.
† 8. Of or belonging to a class; class-. Obs.
1810. Bentham, Packing (1821), 223. A contention between opposite classical partialities.
1819. Rees, Cycl., s.v. Classification (L.), To seek for classical characters from other parts of a plant.
† 9. [= L. classicus belonging to a fleet.] ‘Pertaining to a ship’ (Blount, Glossogr., 1656).
10. Short for classical style, art, etc.
1885. J. C. Fillmore, Pianof. Music, 47. They [Mozart’s piano compositions] were not remarkable for strong contrasts, but contrast is not of the essential nature of the classical…. Repose, the very essence of the strictly classical.
11. Comb., as classical-minded adj.
1845. Graves, Rom. Law, in Encycl. Metr., 748/1. The classical-minded Italians of the 16th century.
