classicus Latin · revision 4166

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cato the Elder|origins=la classis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkɫas.sɪ.kʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈklas.si.kus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''classicus''' (feminine classica, neuter classicum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|classis|-icus|t1=class; fleet]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Varro derived it from ''classis'', and Servius explains the trumpet signal [[classicum]] from the same word.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Gellius quotes Cato the Elder for the rule that ''classici'' were only the men of the first class, not all who were in the five classes.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant belonging to the highest class of citizens, and ''testes classici'' were witnesses of that class in Festus.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Gellius used it figuratively of a writer of the first rank, ''classicus adsiduusque aliquis scriptor, non proletarius'', “some first-class and substantial writer, not a proletarian”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) A ''classicus'' was also the trumpeter who called the centuries to the assembly.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ From ''classis'' “fleet” it meant naval, as ''classici milites'' “marines” in Livy, and the neuter ''classicum'' was the trumpet signal for battle or assembly.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Medieval Latin kept the senses “warlike”, “for hunting” and the horn signal, and later “pre-eminent”, as of Augustine as an eagle among classic doctors.^(MLW)^(DMLBS) New Latin used it of what is exemplary of its class.^(Wiktionary) English ''classic'' came through French in the 1610s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato the Elder uses it of the first class of citizens.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses ''classici'' of marines.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 165 AD – Gellius speaks of a ''classicus scriptor''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1610s – English ''classic'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of the highest class of citizens, ''(figurative)'' first-rate, [[m|en|classic]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Of the [[m|en|fleet]], naval.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Of a trumpet call.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A trumpeter who summoned the assembly by centuries.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(plural)'' Marines, sailors.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[classicum]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[classis]]

+ * [[en|classic]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}