Ex"cel*lent (?), a. [F. excellent, L. excellens, -entis, p. pr. of excellere. See Excel.] 1. Excelling; surpassing others in some good quality or the sum of qualities; of great worth; eminent, in a good sense; superior; as, an excellent man, artist, citizen, husband, discourse, book, song, etc.; excellent breeding, principles, aims, action.
To love . . .
What I see excellent in good or fair.
Milton.
2. Superior in kind or degree, irrespective of moral quality; -- used with words of a bad significance. [Obs. or Ironical] "An excellent hypocrite."
Hume.
Their sorrows are most excellent.
Beau. & Fl.
Syn. -- Worthy; choice; prime; valuable; select; exquisite; transcendent; admirable; worthy.
© Webster 1913.
Ex"cel*lent, adv. Excellently; eminently; exceedingly. [Obs.] "This comes off well and excellent."
Shak.
© Webster 1913. | 
