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.