English → Latin
“classic” in Latin
maximusbiggest, largest; loudest; unencumberedpraecipuusparticular, special; distinguished, preeminent
The English word classic itself goes back to Latin classis, through classicus.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
classic
A classic, scriptor primae classis (Cic.): scriptor subtilis atque elegans (with reference to fine selection of words and beauty of style). OBSERVE: Gell. (an affected writer of the age of the Antonines, 130 A.D) has scriptor classicus, opposed to scriptor proletarius: speaking of him with reference to the division of Roman citizens into classes. The classics, scriptores primae classis; scriptores optimi, praestantissimi, maximi, praecipui, venustissimi atque politssimi (with reference to style): optimi Latinitatis auctores (with reference to Latin style). The (Greek and Latin) classics, antiqui scriptores utriusque linguae: veteres scriptores Graeci et Latini.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for classic?
- The usual Latin words for “classic” are maximus, praecipuus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.