classical

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of or pertaining to or characteristic of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures

   classical mythology

2. 2
   adj

   (language) having the form used by ancient standard authors

   classical Greek

3. 3
   adj

   of or relating to the study of the literary works of ancient Greece and Rome

   a classical scholar

4. 4
   adj

   Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.

   ... Mr. Greaves, who may be juſtly reckoned a Claſſical Author on this Subject.

5. 5
   adj

   Of or pertaining to established principles in a discipline.

   Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get; what you get is classical alpha-taxonomy which is, very largely and for sound reasons, in disrepute today.

6. 6
   adj

   Of or pertaining to the ancient Greeks and Romans, especially 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.

   He [Atterbury] directed the classical studies of the undergraduates of his college.

7. 7
   adj

   Knowledgeable or skilled in the classics; versed in the classics.

   a classical scholar

8. 8
   adj

   Conforming to the best authority in literature and art; chaste; pure; refined

   classical dance

Etymology

See classic § Etymology for history. By surface analysis, class + -ical or classic + -al or class + -ic + -al