= book Latin, n.

The Latin language of the classical period of ancient Roman literature. Cf. classical, adj. 1.

(originally) ancient Greek or Latin (cf. classical Greek, n. classical Latin, n.); (later also) the form of a language used during the most…

The Latin language, esp. in its literary form.

Latin as used since the late 14th cent. by authors concerned to emulate classical rather than medieval models; esp. Renaissance Latin.