King James Bible Dictionary

EXCEL', verb transitive [Latin excello, the root of which, cello, is not in use.

1. To go beyond; to exceed; to surpass in good qualities or laudable deeds; to outdo.

EXCELling others, these were great;

Thou greater still, must these excel

Many daughters have done virtuously, but

thou excellest them all. Proverbs 31:29.

2. To exceed or go beyond in bad qualities or deeds.

3. To exceed; to surpass.

EXCEL', verb intransitive To have good qualities, or to perform meritorious actions, in an unusual degree; to be eminent, illustrious or distinguished.

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength. Psalms 103:20.

We say, to excel in mathematics; to excel in painting; to excel in heroic achievements.

EXCEL'LED, participle passive Surpassed; outdone; exceeded in good qualities or laudable achievements.

EX'CELLENCE

EXCELLENCY, noun [Latin excellentia.] The state of possessing food qualities in an unusual or eminent degree; the state of excelling in any thing.

1. An valuabale quality; any thing highly laudable, meritorious or virtuous, in persons, or valuable and esteemed, in things. Purity of heart, uprightness of mind, sincerity, virtue, piety, are excellencies of character; symmetry of parts, strength and beauty are excellencies of body; an accurate knowledge of an art is an excellence in the artisan; soundness and durability are excellencies in timber; fertility, in land; elegance, in writing. In short, whatever contributes to exalt man, or to render him esteemed and happy, or to bless society, is in him an excellence

2. Dignity; high rank in the scale of beings. Angels are beings of more excellence than men; men are beings of more excellence than brutes.

3. A title of honor formerly given to kings and emperors, now given to embassadors, governors, and other persons, below the rank of kings, but elevated above the common classes of men.

EX'CELLENT, adjective Being of great virtue or worth; eminent or distinguished for what is amiable, valuable or laudable; as an excellent man or citizen; an excellent judge or magistrate.

1. Being of great value or use, applied to things; remarkable for good properties; as excellent timber; an excellent farm; an excellent horse; excellent fruit.

2. Distinguished for superior attainments; as an excellent artist.

3. Consummate; complete; in an ill sense.

Elizabeth was an excellent hypocrite.

EX'CELLENTLY, adverb In an excellent manner; well in a high degree; in an eminent degree; in a manner to please or command esteem, or to be useful.