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

(-)

Lasting forever; unending.

* John Locke

to know whether there were any real being, whose duration has been eternal

* Dryden

Fires eternal in thy temple shine.

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=May 27 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=In a bid to understand the eternal mystery that is woman, Bart goes to the least qualified possible source for advice and counsel: his father, who remarkably seems to have made it to his mid-30s without quite figuring out much of anything. }}

(philosophy) existing outside time; as opposed to sempiternal, existing within time but everlastingly

(dated) Exceedingly great or bad; used as an intensifier.

some eternal villain