ˈklæsɪkəl adj. 1 a of ancient
Greek or
Latin literature or art. b (of language) having
the form used by the ancient
standard authors (classical Latin; classical Hebrew). c based on the
study of ancient Greek
and Latin (a classical education). d
learned in classical studies. 2 a (of music)
serious or
conventional;
following traditional principles and
intended to be of
permanent rather than ephemeral value (cf.
POPULAR, LIGHT). b of the
period from c.1750-1800 (cf. ROMANTIC). 3 a in or following the restrained
style of classical
antiquity (cf. ROMANTIC). b in or relating to a long-established style. 4
Physics relating to the concepts
which preceded
relativity and
quantum theory. øøclassicalism n. classicalist n. classicality n. classically adv. [L classicus (as CLASSIC)]