- excel (v.)
- c. 1400, from Latin excellere "to rise, surpass, be superior, be eminent," from ex- "out from" (see ex-) + -cellere "rise high, tower," related to celsus "high, lofty, great," from PIE root *kel- (4) "to rise, be elevated, be prominent; hill" (see hill). Related: Excelled; excelling.
