EXCELLENCY, n. L. excellentia. The state of possessing food qualities in an unusual or eminent degree the state of excelling in any thing.
1. An valuabale quality any thing highly laudable, meritorious or virtuous, in persons, or valuable and esteemed, in things. Purity of heart, uprightness of mind, sincerity, virtue, piety, are excellencies of character symmetry of parts, strength and beauty are excellencies of body an accurate knowledge of an art is an excellence in the artisan soundness and durability are excellencies in timber fertility, in land elegance, in writing. In short, whatever contributes to exalt man, or to render him esteemed and happy, or to bless society, is in him an excellence.
2. Dignity high rank in the scale of beings. Angels are beings of more excellence than men men are beings of more excellence than brutes.
3. A title of honor formerly given to kings and emperors, now given to embassadors, governors, and other persons, below the rank of kings, but elevated above the common classes of men.