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excelsus

Etymology and origin of the Latin word excelsus

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

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɛkˈskɛɫ.sʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ekˈʃɛl.sus][1]

Forms

excelsus (feminine excelsa, neuter excelsum, comparative excelsior, superlative excelsissimus); first/second-declension adjective[1] Comparative excelsior, superlative excelsissimus.[2]

Etymology

It is the participle of excellō “to rise above, excel”, used as an adjective; compare celsus “high”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are Cato, of lofty abstract things, and Terence, of great height.[2] Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC and Terence 190–159 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant extending to a great height, lofty, high, as of a portico in Cicero; of abstract things and persons lofty, sublime, noble; and in Accius high in rank or reputation.[2][3]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it means lofty, sublime, glorious, and Excelsus is the Most High.[5] British Medieval Latin used in excelsō for on high.[6]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of lofty things.[2][4]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of height.[2][4]
  • 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of rank.[2][4]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Lofty, high.[2][3]
  2. Sublime, noble.[2]
  3. High in rank, eminent.[2]
  4. (Ecclesiastical Latin, noun) The Most High.[5]

Word family

  • excelsitās
  • excelsum
  • perexcelsus

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ 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

“Excelsus.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/excelsus. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·