/ek"seuh leuhns/ , n.
1. the fact or state of excelling; superiority; eminence: his excellence in mathematics.
2. an excellent quality or feature: Use of herbs is one of the excellences of French cuisine.
3. ( usually cap. ) excellency (def. 1).
[ 1350-1400; ME excellentia. See EXCEL, -ENCE ]
Syn. 1. preeminence, transcendence, distinction. 2. merit, virtue.
Ant. 2. inferiority.