v.
Pronunciation: ik- ' sel
Function: verb
Inflected Form: ex · celled ; ex · cel · ling
Etymology: Middle English excellen, from Latin excellere, from ex- + -cellere to rise, project; akin to Latin collis hill ― more at HILL
Date: 15th century
transitive verb : to be superior to : surpass in accomplishment or achievement
intransitive verb : to be distinguishable by superiority : surpass others < excel in sports> < excelled at lipreading>
synonyms see EXCEED