Classicist: meaning, definitions and examples

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classicist

[ˈklæsɪsɪst ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

study of classical antiquity

A classicist is a person who studies or is an expert in classical antiquity, particularly ancient Greek and Roman literature, culture, languages, and history.

Synonyms

academic, expert, scholar.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
classicist	A person specializing in the study of ancient Greek and Roman literature, culture, and language. As a classicist, she spent years translating ancient Greek texts He is a renowned classicist with a deep knowledge of Roman history
scholar	A person who studies and has detailed knowledge of a specific subject, especially in the humanities. This term often implies a depth of learning and research. She is a Shakespeare scholar and has written several books on the topic The scholar presented his findings at the international conference
expert	A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge or skill in a particular area. This word does not imply a specific setting like 'academic'. He is an expert in cybersecurity and works with various tech companies As an expert in marine biology, she often gives talks at conferences
academic	A person who works as a teacher or researcher at a college or university. This term can also refer to anything related to education or scholarship. She has had a distinguished career as an academic at several prestigious universities The academic paper was published in a well-known journal

Examples of usage

A classicist may specialize in the works of Homer or Virgil.
Many classicists work as professors in universities.
Her passion for ancient Greek architecture led her to pursue a career as a classicist.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'classicist' comes from 'classic,' which refers to works of the highest quality, and the suffix 'ist,' which denotes a person who practices or is concerned with something.
Originally, the term was used in 19th-century discussions about literature and aesthetic qualities of ancient works.

Influence in Education

Many classical studies programs in universities cover literature, philosophy, and history, impacting Western education for centuries.
Classicists often promote the study of Latin and Ancient Greek, languages that unlock numerous historical texts and cultures.

Pop Culture

Classicists have influenced modern cinema; many films draw directly from ancient myths and stories, such as 'Troy' or 'Gladiator'.
Several contemporary novels and television shows, like 'Game of Thrones', have classicist themes rooted in ancient texts and histories.

Art and Architecture

Renaissance artists looked back to classical antiquity for inspiration, reviving styles and themes that reflected ancient art's beauty.
The neoclassical architecture movement of the 18th and 19th centuries was heavily influenced by ancient Greek and Roman buildings, showcasing columns and symmetry.

Cultural Impact

Classicists argue that studying ancient cultures helps us understand modern society, as many current political and social ideas have roots in ancient philosophies.
The concept of a 'classical education' derives from classicists emphasizing the importance of foundational knowledge in history, literature, and philosophy.

Translations

Translations of the word "classicist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 classicista

🇮🇳 शास्त्रज्ञ

🇩🇪 Klassizist

🇮🇩 klasisis

🇺🇦 класик

🇵🇱 klasycysta

🇯🇵 古典主義者 (こてんしゅぎしゃ)

🇫🇷 classiste

🇪🇸 clasicista

🇹🇷 klasikçi

🇰🇷 고전주의자 (gojeonjuuija)

🇸🇦 كلاسيكي

🇨🇿 klasik

🇸🇰 klasicista

🇨🇳 古典主义者 (gǔdiǎn zhǔyì zhě)

🇸🇮 klasicist

🇮🇸 klassíkismaður

🇰🇿 классик

🇬🇪 კლასიცისტი

🇦🇿 klassikçi

🇲🇽 clasicista

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,116 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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31113 pawed
31114 expropriate
31115 refocused
31116 classicist
31117 perky
31118 innervate
31119 denizen
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