Part 882

Ex*cel" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Excelled(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Excelling.] [L. excellere, excelsum; ex out + a root found in culmen height, top; cf. F. exceller. See Culminate, Column.] 1. To go beyond or surpass in good qualities or laudable deeds; to outdo or outgo, in a good sense.

Excelling others, these were great; Thou, greater still, must these excel.

Prior.

I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

Eccl. ii. 13.

2. To exceed or go beyond; to surpass.

She opened; but to shut Excelled her power; the gates wide open stood.

Milton.

Ex*cel", v. i. To surpass others in good qualities, laudable actions, or acquirements; to be distinguished by superiority; as, to excel in mathematics, or classics.

Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel.

Gen. xlix. 4.

Then peers grew proud in horsemanship t' excel.

Pope.

Ex"cel*lence (?), n. [F. excellence, L. excellentia.] 1. The quality of being excellent; state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue.

Consider first that great Or bright infers not excellence.

Milton.

2. An excellent or valuable quality; that by which any one excels or is eminent; a virtue.

With every excellence refined.

Beattie.

3. A title of honor or respect; -- more common in the form excellency.

I do greet your excellence With letters of commission from the king.

Shak.

Syn. -- Superiority; preëminence; perfection; worth; goodness; purity; greatness.

Ex"cel*len*cy (?), n.; pl. Excellencies (&?;). 1. Excellence; virtue; dignity; worth; superiority.

His excellency is over Israel.

Ps. lxviii. 34.

Extinguish in men the sense of their own excellency.

Hooker.