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/klˈæsɪkəl/ Listen

adjective

Classical, Classic adj.

Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art. "Give, as thy last memorial to the age, One classic drama, and reform the stage." "Mr. Greaves may justly be reckoned a classical author on this subject (Roman weights and coins)."

Of or pertaining to the ancient Greeks and Romans, esp. 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. "Though throned midst Latium's classic plains." "The epithet classical, as applied to ancient authors, is determined less by the purity of their style than by the period at which they wrote." "He (Atterbury) directed the classical studies of the undergraduates of his college."

Conforming to the best authority in literature and art; chaste; pure; refined; as, a classical style. "Classical, provincial, and national synods."

Classicals orders. (Arch.) See under Order.

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Etymology of 'Classical'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Classical" Quotes from Famous Books

... you have been enjoying the sweet business of squiredom," said Vargrave, gayly: "Atticus and his farm,—classical associations! Charming weather for the agriculturists, eh! What news about corn and barley? I suppose our English habit of talking on the weather arose when we were all a squirearchal farming, George-the-Third ...

— Alice, or The Mysteries, Book IV • Edward Bulwer Lytton

... visits Constantinople or studies the architecture of Sancta Sofia, but when he does, he is distinctly conscious of forces not quite the same. Justinian has not the simplicity of Charlemagne. The Eastern Empire showed an activity and variety of forces that classical Europe had never possessed. The navy of Nicephoras Phocas in the tenth century would have annihilated in half an hour any navy that Carthage or Athens or Rome ever set afloat. The dynamic scheme began by asserting rather recklessly that between the Pyramids (B.C. 3000), and the Cross (A.D. 300), ...

— The Education of Henry Adams • Henry Adams

... a swoon. I could not but observe, however, that her fall was very carefully executed, and that she was fortunate enough, in spite of her insensibility, to arrange her drapery and attitude into a graceful and classical design. But he, the honest seaman, so incapable of deceit or affectation that he could not suspect it in others, ran madly to the bell, shouting for the maid, the doctor, and the smelling-salts, with incoherent words of grief, and such passionate terms of emotion ...

— Rodney Stone • Arthur Conan Doyle

... men, with your injustice! Because she is clever you take it amiss; you are all jealous of her. Look at her pretty colour and her beautiful hair; if that is not fresh I should like to know what is. She might be Hebe instead of Phoebe," said Ursula, who had picked up scraps of classical knowledge in spite ...

— Phoebe, Junior • Mrs [Margaret] Oliphant

... Jonson was for a time apprenticed to the trade. As a youth he attracted the attention of the famous antiquary, William Camden, then usher at Westminster School, and there the poet laid the solid foundations of his classical learning. Jonson always held Camden in veneration, acknowledging that ...

— Every Man In His Humour • Ben Jonson

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