Main Entry:

¹clas·sic

Pronunciation:

\ˈkla-sik\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

French or Latin; French classique, from Latin classicus of the highest class of Roman citizens, of the first rank, from classis

Date:

circa 1604

1 a: serving as a standard of excellence : of recognized value <classic literary works> b: traditional, enduring <classic designs> c: characterized by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year <a classic suit>2: of or relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans or their culture : classical3 a: historically memorable <a classic battle> b: noted because of special literary or historical associations <Paris is the classic refuge of expatriates>4 a: authentic, authoritative b: typical <a classic example of chicanery> <a classic error>5capitalized : of or relating to the period of highest development of Mesoamerican and especially Mayan culture about a.d. 300–900