athletic, athletick

& s. [Eng. athlet(e); -ic. In Fr. athlétique; Lat. athletic us; Gr. ἀθλητικός ( athletikos ).] A. As adjective : athletick diet 1. Pertaining to the games or coutests in which the ancient athletes strove. [ATHLETE.] "The athletick diet was of pulse, alphiton, maza, barley, and water."-Sir "-Sir T. T. Browne: Browne: Misc. Misc. Tracts, p. 17. 2. With great muscular development, like that po e ed, after training, by the ancient athletes. "The hundreds of athletic Celts whom he saw in their national order of battle were evidently not allies to be despised."-Macaulay: Hist . Eng ., ch. xiii. B. As substantive: "The art of activity." Athletics. "... art of activity, which is called athletic ; and art voluptuary, which Tacitus truly calleth eruditus lux us ."-Bacon: Adv. of Learn ., bk. ii. ath-let'-ic-al-lỹ, adv . [Eng. athletical ; -ly.] In an athletic manner; with exertion of much physical strength. ( Barrow .)