Ex'cel-lent, a.
(ĕk'sel-lent), a. [Lat. excellens, p. pr. of excellere: Fr. & Pr. excellent, Sp. excelente, Pg. excellente, It. eccellente. See EXCEL.]
Sense 1. Excelling or surpassing others in virtue, worth, dignity, capacity, attainments, or the like; eminent; distinguished; admirable; superior; exceedingly good or useful; as, an excellent man; an, excellent judge or magistrate; an excellent artist.
To love What I see excellent in good or fair. Milton.
Sense 2. Exceeding; extreme; transcendent; excessive. [Obs.] “An excellent hypocrite.” Hume.
Their sorrows are most excellent. Beau. & Fl.
Synonyms—Worthy; choice; prime; valuable; select; exquisite; transcendent.