classic

Forms

1.Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
2.Exemplary of a particular style; defining a class or category; typical; archetypical; epitomic.
- He has a classic case of narcissism.
- 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.
3.Exhibiting timeless quality and excellence.
- "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a 1960 classic book by Harper Lee.
4.Characteristic of or from the past; old; retro; vintage.

1.A perfect and/or early example of a particular style.
2.An artistic work of lasting worth, such as a film or song; a work of enduring excellence.
- JAMES CARTER: The man's destroying a classic!
3.The author of such a work.
- It was the first work to which he had put his name; and it at once raised him to the rank of a legitimate English classic.
4.A major, long-standing sporting event.

Uncommon· #2737

From French classique, from Latin classic(us) (“relating to the classes of Roman citizenry, especially the highest”), from classis.

By surface analysis, class + -ic.

Piecewise doublet of classy.