excel Meaning, Definition & Usage

Ex*cel" transitive verb

Etymology

L. excellere, excelsum; ex out + a root found in culmen height, top; cf. F. exceller. See Culminate, Column.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Excelled; present participle & verbal noun Excelling

Definitions

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" intransitive verb

Definitions

1. 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.