historic

Historic is an English adjective that relates to history or to events, places, or artifacts considered to be significant in the past. In general usage, something described as historic is seen as having lasting cultural or historical impact, often because it marked a turning point or is associated with long-term memory. The term is commonly applied to moments, sites, and documents; by contrast, historical simply means “relating to history” and does not by itself convey significance.

Etymology: Historic derives from Latin historicus, via Old French historic, and ultimately from Greek historikos, meaning “of or belonging to history” or “the study of inquiry.” The form entered English in the medieval period and has since acquired the sense of importance or note.

Usage notes: In archaeology, preservation, and heritage discourse, historic or historic site is used for places officially recognized as part of a culture’s legacy, such as historic districts and historic buildings. In general prose, writers distinguish historic for notable events and historical for more general or scholarly references to the past. Regional style guides may vary in preference.

See also: Historic preservation, Historical, Historiography, Heritage.