Adjective

(en adjective)

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

* 1661 , , The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond

During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant

* (Lord Byron) (1788-1824)

Give, as thy last memorial to the age, / One classic drama, and reform the stage.

Exemplary of a particular style.

Exhibiting timeless quality.

* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=20 citation , passage=The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.}}

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-01-01, author=Paul Bartel, Ashli Moore

, volume=101, issue=1, page=47–48, magazine=(American Scientist) , title= Avian Migration: The Ultimate Red-Eye Flight , passage=Many of these classic methods are still used, with some modern improvements. For example, with the aid of special microphones and automated sound detection software, ornithologists recently reported […] that pine siskins (Spinus pinus ) undergo an irregular, nomadic type of nocturnal migration.}}

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.

* (Felicia Hemans) (1804-1864)

Though throned midst Latium's classic plains.

(euphemistic) Traditional; original.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to (specific) or (particular).

* c. 1495 , (John Skelton), "Vppon a deedman's hed":

It is generall / To be mortall: / I haue well espyde / No man may hym hyde / From Deth holow eyed [...].

* 1842 , Douglas Jerrold, "Mr Peppersorn ‘At Home’", Cakes and Ale :

"Among us!" was the general shout, and Peppersorn sat frozen to his chair.

* 1946 , (Bertrand Russell), History of Western Philosophy , I.27:

Undoubtedly the age of the Antonines was much better than any later age until the Renaissance, from the point of view of the general happiness.

* 2006 , Ruth Sutherland, "Invite public to the private equity party", The Observer , 15 Oct 06:

One advantage of having profitable companies in Britain is that they pay large sums in corporate tax into the Exchequer, which in theory at least is used for the general good.

Applied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent.

* 1865 , Edward Cust, Lives of the Warriors of the Thirty Years War , p. 527:

For these successes he obtained the rank of Field-Marshal General .

* 2002 , James Turner, Libertines and Radicals in Early Modern London , p. 122:

He becomes the chief chartered libertine, the whoremaster-general flourishing his "standard" over a female army [...].

Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.

* 1817 , (Walter Scott), Rob Roy , IX:

‘I can't quite afford you the sympathy you expect upon this score,’ I replied; ‘the misfortune is so general , that it belongs to one half of the species [...].’

* 2008 , John Patterson, "Home movies", The Guardian , 20 Dec 08:

The general opinion on Baz Luhrmann's overstuffed epic Australia seems to be that it throws in everything but the kitchen sink, and then tosses that in too, just to be sure.

Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category.

* 1924 , Time , 17 Mar 1924:

M. Venizelos went to Athens from Paris early last January in response to a general invitation from the Greek populace.

* 2009 , Douglas P Zipes, Saturday Evening Post , vol. 281:1, p. 20:

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a general term indicating a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) coming from the top chambers of the heart - in essence, above (supra) the lower chamber (ventricular).

Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.

* 1817 , (Walter Scott), Rob Roy , X:

As she thus spoke, the entrance of the servants with dinner cut off all conversation but that of a general nature.

* 2006 , Kevin Nance, "Ghosts of the White City", Chicago Sun-Times , 16 Jul 06:

The quick answer is that the 1893 Exposition was simply so important -- "the greatest event in the history of the country since the Civil War," as Harper's put it that October -- but that feels too general .

* 2008 , Robert P Maloney, "The Quiet Carpenter", America , vol. 199:19, p. 18:

Given the scarcity of relevant historical detail in the New Testament, we are left with only a general outline about Joseph.

Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area.

* 1941 , (W Somerset Maugham), Up at the Villa , Vintage 2004, p. 24:

There was a moment's pause. The Princess broke in with some casual remark and once more the conversation became general .

* 1947 , "Russian Catechism", Time , 20 Oct 1947:

Already in the primary school work is conducted for the purpose of equipping the pupils with those elements of general knowledge which are closely related to the military preparation of future warriors.

* 2007 , Alan Cheuse, "A Little Death", Southern Review , vol. 43:3, p. 692:

His measured, springless walk was the walk of the skilled countryman as distinct from the desultory shamble of the general labourer [...].