a. and sb. Also 7 -ique. [ad. L. āthlētic-us, Gr. ἀθλητικός, f. ἀθλητής: see prec. and -IC.] A. adj.
1. Pertaining to an athlete, or to contests in which physical strength is vigorously exercised. Also fig.
1636. Sanderson, Serm., Ad Aul. (1681), II. 58. Ὑxποπιάζω … is an Athletique Pugilar word.
1691. Ray, Creation (1704), Ded. 3. Your Athletic Conflicts with the greatest of Temporal Evils.
1748. Phil. Trans., XLV. 607. For the baiting of wild beasts, or other athletic diversions.
1875. Helps, Anim. & Masters, v. 131. He was never much given to athletic pursuits.
2. Of the nature of, or befitting, an athlete; physically powerful, muscular, robust.
1659. Hammond, On Ps. lxxiii. 4. An athletick health and habit of body.
1751. Chesterf., Lett., 268, III. 231. He is an athletic Hibernian, handsome in his person.
1877. Field, Killarney to Gold. Horn, 121. That little brook … an athletic leaper would almost clear at a single bound.
† B. sb. a. = ATHLETICS. b. An athlete. Obs.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. x. § 1. Art of activity, which is called athletic.
1696. J. Edwards, Exist. & Prov. God, I. 25. Some celebrated athletick that is famous for his nimbleness of feet.
1817. Jas. Mill, India, I. II. vii. 315. The magistrate … shall retain in his service … jesters, and dancers, and athletics.
¶ See also ATHLETICS.
