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excellentia

Etymology and origin of the Latin word excellentia

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cicero
Ultimate origin
Latin (excellō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɛk.skɛlˈlɛn.ti.a][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ek.ʃelˈlɛn.t͡si.a][1]

Forms

excellentia f (genitive excellentiae); first declension[1]

Etymology

It is from excellēns, present participle of excellō “to rise above, excel”, with the suffix -ia.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC, and Gaffiot cites his De officiīs.[4][5]

Semantic evolution

It was superiority, pre-eminence, excellence, as in Cicero, per excellentiam meant par excellence.[2][5]

In Medieval Latin excellentia vestra “your Excellency” was a title of honour.[6] British Medieval Latin used it for excellence and high status, also in theology, grammar and medicine.[7] English excellency (about 1200, “high rank”, a title from the early 14th century) and English excellence (mid-14th century) come from it.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[5][4]
  • c. 1200 – English excellency is recorded.[3]
  • mid-14th century – English excellence is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Superiority, pre-eminence, excellence.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) excellentia vestra Your Excellency.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
Cite this entry

“Excellentia.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/excellentia. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·