Definition of "classical"

classical

/ˈklæsɪkl̩/

adjective
comparative more classical, superlative most classical
1. Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
  Quotations
  ... Mr. Greaves, who may be juſtly reckoned a Claſſical Author on this Subject.
  1727, John Arbuthnot, Tables of Ancient Coins, Weights and Measures Explain'd and Exemplify'd in Several Dissertations, page 15
2. Of or pertaining to established principles in a discipline.
  Quotations
  Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get; what you get is classical alpha-taxonomy which is, very largely and for sound reasons, in disrepute today.
  1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, New York, N.Y.: Columbia University Press, page vii
3. (music) Describing Western music and musicians of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
4. (informal, music) Describing art music (rather than pop, jazz, blues, etc), especially when played using instruments of the orchestra.
5. 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.
  Quotations
  He [Atterbury] directed the classical studies of the undergraduates of his college.
  1853, Thomas Babington Macaulay, "Atterbury, Francis" in Encyclopædia Britannica (8th ed.). Dated through The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, page 344
6. Knowledgeable or skilled in the classics; versed in the classics.
  Quotations
  But she’s not just classy; she’s classical: so deeply versed in tap tradition and technique that she has the whole of it at her command and never has to worry.
  2022 July 27, Brian Seibert, “Dormeshia Coasts On Her Tap Mystery In 'Rhythm Is Life'”, in New York Times‎
7. Conforming to the best authority in literature and art; chaste; pure; refined
  Quotations
  Classical, provincial, and national synods.
  1848, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume 1, page 151.
8. (physics) Pertaining to models of physical laws that do not take quantum or relativistic effects into account; Newtonian or Maxwellian.
noun
countable and uncountable, plural classicals
1. (countable) One that is classical in some way; for example, a classical economist.
  Quotations
  Similarly, the new classicals never claimed to be Austrians, nor did they ever make the attempt to meet Austrian objections. Therefore, we cannot fault them for not using this methodology. Nevertheless, new classicals constantly preach […]
  2002, James E Hartley, James E. Hartley, The Representative Agent in Macroeconomics, Routledge, page 120
2. Short for classical music.
3. (chess) Short for classical chess.
  Quotations
  When I want to have fun I play blitz. When I want to go deeper and work on improving my game, I play classical and I try to do it in tournament settings.
  2015 November 3, solskytz, “IM Greg Shahade: "Slow Chess should die a fast death"”, in Chess.com‎
  In early September, Niemann scored an extraordinary win against Carlsen during an in-person tournament in St. Louis, Missouri. Carlsen, the world’s highest-rated player since 2011, lost with the white pieces in the classical time format, a rare occurrence for the chess juggernaut.
  2022 September 23, Brian Pempus, “Hans Niemann Eliminated, Magnus Carlsen A -350 Betting Favorite To Win Online Chess Event”, in Forbes‎

Definition of "classical"

classical

adjective

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noun

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