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" (?), 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.