Excel

Excel - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

EXCEL', v.t. [L. 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. Prov 31.

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

3. To exceed; to surpass.

EXCEL', v.i. 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. Psa 103.

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