She opened; but to shut
Excelled her power; the gates wide open stood.
Milton.
Ex*cel", v. i. To surpass others in good qualities, laudable actions, or acquirements; to be distinguished by superiority; as, to excel in mathematics, or classics.
Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel.
Gen. xlix. 4.
Then peers grew proud in horsemanship t' excel.
Pope.
Ex"cel*lence (?), n. [F. excellence, L. excellentia.] 1. The quality of being excellent; state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue.
Consider first that great
Or bright infers not excellence.
Milton.
2. An excellent or valuable quality; that by which any one excels or is eminent; a virtue.
With every excellence refined.
Beattie.