Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLAS'SIC, or CLAS'SIC-AL, a. [L. classicus; Fr. classique; It. classico; Sp. clasico; from L. classis, the first order of Roman citizens.]

1. Relating to ancient Greek and Roman authors of the first rank or estimation, which, in modern times, have been and still are studied as the best models of fine writing. Thus Aristotle, Plato, Demosthenes, Thucydides, &c., among the Greeks, and Cicero, Virgil, Livy, Sallust, Cesar, and Tacitus, among the Latins, are classical authors. Hence,
2. Pertaining to writers of the first rank among the moderns; being of the first order; constituting the best model or authority as an author; as, Addison and Johnson are English classical writers. Hence classical denotes pure, chaste, correct, refined; as, a classical taste; a classical style. At Liverpool, Roscoe is like Pompey's column at Alexandria, towering alone in classic dignity. – Irving.
3. Denoting an order of presbyterian assemblies. – Milton. Mason.