classĭcus, a, um, adj. [classis], of or belonging to a classis.
I To a class or division of the Roman people; only transf., belonging to the first class , of the highest class : classici dicebantur non omnes qui in quinque classibus erant, sed primi tantum classis homines (opp. classem, infra), Cat. ap. Gell. 6 (7), 13, 1; cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 113, 12: testes classici, id. ib. p. 56, 15.—
B Trop., of the highest rank , classical , superior , standard : classicus adsiduusque aliquis scriptor, non proletarius, Gell. 19, 8, 15.—
C Subst.: classĭcus , i, m., he that summons the classes of citizens to the Comitia : in Arce classicus oanat tum circumque moeros, Comment. ap. Varr. L. L. 6, § 92 Müll.—
II To the military and naval forces (v. infra; and cf. classis, I. B.), but in use only in the sense of or belonging to the fleet : classicos milites, Liv. 21, 61, 2; 26, 48, 12: bella, naval , Prop. 2, 1, 28: certamen, Vell. 2, 85, 2: corona = navalis, id. 2, 81, 2.—Hence,
B Subst.
1 classĭcum , i, n., a field or battle-signal upon the trumpet : classicum cecinit, Liv. 28, 27, 15: classicum canere jubet, Tac. A. 2, 32; cf.: classicum cani jubet, Caes. B. C. 3, 82: classico ad contionem convocat, Liv. 7, 36, 9: cum silentium classico fecisset, id. 2, 45, 12: classica sonant, Verg. A. 7, 637: neque excitatur classico miles truci, Hor. Epod. 2, 5; Suet. Caes. 32; id. Vit. 11; Quint. 2, 11, 4; Luc. 4, 186 al.— Since only the leader commanded it to be given: classicum praetorium (al. praeconium), Prop. 3 (4), 3, 41; cf. Caes. l. l.; Liv. 28, 27, 15; Veg. Mil. 2, 22.—
2 Meton., the war-trumpet : necdum etiam audierant inflari classica, Verg. G. 2, 539; Tib. 1, 1, 4. —
3 Subst.: classĭci , ōrum, m., marines , Tac. H. 1, 36; 2, 11; 2, 17; 2, 22; 2, 67; 3, 55.—Also mariners , seamen , Curt. 4, 3, 18.