Middle English Dictionary Entry
excellen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | excellen v. |
| Etymology | OF exceller, -ir; L excellere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of virtue, wisdom, beauty, etc., or of persons and things possessing such qualities: to surpass (something or someone); -- often with in or of phrase; (b) to be preeminent or supreme.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2618 : In bownte sothly ȝe excelle Alle þat lyven.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.975 : An halle..Excellyng alle in bewte & in strenthe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5760 : Þou shalt..Al þi kyn excellen in richesse.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.2312 : Pryncis..Which excelled al other in noblesse.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)977 : Ther is Oon..Which alle excellith in Comparysoun, Stoon of stoonys moost souereyn of Renoun.
- ?a1450 Whane that phebus beemes (Cleo C.4)95 : The joye that all joyes doth exsell.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)1094 : Blysse, the which..Al worldly Ioy doth excelle.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)76 : To excell odyre in vertu and provess.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)75/14 : Gold excellyth in pryce alle metallys.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.13 : Like as Fraunce excellethe Briteyne, so in lyke wyse Briteyne excedethe Yrlonde in beaute.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)324 : Yt excellyde off bewte Al other in comparyson.
- a1500(c1445) Lydg.Mir.Edmund (Ashm 46)166 : Bryght as berylle,..Grace excellith euery precious stoon.
b
- a1450(a1449) Lydg.WTongue (Hnt EL 26.A.13)22 : Ȝif thow be feir, excellyng of beaute.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)1710 : This ilke god..Of shap and beaute dyd excelle.
- a1500 Lydg.LOL (Adv 19.3.1)92 : Holyness..excelleth in perfeccion.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)3141 : Hys [God's] myght wych doth excelle.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)9435 : Thow art hys sone also, Most excellynge off kynrede That euere was..Most noble.
2.
(a) To excel (others in skill or craftsmanship); (b) to be eminent or outstanding (in a craft or art); to be at the peak (of fame).
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.516 : Appollo, þe whiche..In ymagerye alle oþer dide excelle.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.553 : Chaucer..Þe noble Rethor þat alle dide excelle.
- a1450-a1475 Lydg.TB (Bergen)prol.373 : O Guydo maister..That excellest by souereinte of stile Alle that writen this mater to compile.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.527 : Who þat wer excellyng in practik O[f] any art callyd mekanyk.
- a1450(c1433) Lydg.St.Edm.(Hrl 2278)418/260 : To teche the peeple Fremund dide excelle, And them conuerted from ydolatrye.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.6274 : Alisaundre was slay[e]n with poisoun, In his triumphes whan he dede excell.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)21531 : I kan karole wel, and daunce; In euery play I do excelle.
3.
To transcend or be beyond the grasp of (reason).
Associated quotations
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)697 : Mysteryes of the hevenly kyng, Which excelle Resoun and wit of man.
4.
To elevate (someone's title, etc.), raise up in popularity and esteem, magnify.
Associated quotations
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)143.62-65 (v.2:p.419) : Lych as he [whyche] ouyrcomyth a tiraunt sendyth ouer al the lond his officers to excellyn [L erigant] his tityl and to throwe douun the tirantis signys, ryght so Crist .. sendyth aboutyn ouyral hys massagers to auoydyn the deuyls wurchipe and to magnifyin and excellyn hys wurshipe.