Classic

From French classique, from Latin classicus ("relating to the classes of Roman citizenry, especially the highest"), from classis

Full definition of classic

1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. HammondDuring the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant...
Lord Byron (1788-1824)Give, as thy last memorial to the age,
One classic drama, and reform the stage.

1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 20, 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.
2013-01-01, Paul Bartel, Ashli Moore, Avian Migration: The Ultimate Red-Eye Flight, Many of these classic methods are still used, with some modern improvements. For example, with the aid of special microphones and automated sound detection software, ornithologists recently reported … that pine siskins (Spinus pinus) undergo an irregular, nomadic type of nocturnal migration.

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.

(euphemistic) Traditional; original.
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(plural classics)

A major, long-standing sporting event
(dated) One learned in the literature of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome; a student of classical literature.