Dictionary entry

Excellence

Webster's Dictionary 1913

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.