historical
English meaning: Historical
Definition
A historical romance.
Example
“Researchers studied historical records to trace the family's origins.”
Another example: “The novel is set against a richly detailed historical background.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Chiefly an adjective concerning the past or the study of history ('historical records', 'historical fiction'); learners should distinguish it from 'historic', which means famous or important in history ('a historic victory'). Formal to neutral.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'historicus' (of history), from Greek 'historia' (inquiry, account), with the English '-al' adjective form dating to the 16th century.
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
- contemporary
- modern
- present-day
- fictional
Related Words
- marker
- monuments
- significance
- landmarks
- landmark
- artifacts
- altitude
- society
- romance
- facts
Common Collocations
- historical records
- historical fiction
- historical significance
- historical context
- historical figure
- historical accuracy
Word Forms
historical (adj); historically (adv); history (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B