historical

Universal Words adjective [usuallybeforenoun] 1 connected with the past: the historical background to the war * You must place these events in their historical context. * an essay on the historical development of the novel * Women are not allowed to enter the monastery for historical reasons. 2 connected with the study of history: historical documents / records / research * The building is of historical importance. 3 (of a book, film / movie, etc.) about people and events in the past: a historical novel / setting HELPNOTE Some speakers do not pronounce the 'h' at the beginning of historical and use an instead of a before it. This now sounds old-fashioned. historically adverb: The book is historically inaccurate. * Historically, there has always been a great deal of rivalry between the two families.