Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-CEL', v.t. [L. excello, the root of which, cello, is not in use. In Ar. قَالَ kaila, signifies to lift, raise, excel; also to speak, to strike, to beat. So we use beat in the sense of surpass. See Class Gl, No. 3, and 49.]

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. Prior. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Prov. xxxi.
2. To exceed or go beyond in bad qualities or deeds.
3. To exceed; to surpass.