excelsus Latin · revision 10195

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cato|origins=la excellō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ɛkˈskɛɫ.sʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ekˈʃɛl.sus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''excelsus''' (feminine excelsa, neuter excelsum, comparative excelsior, superlative excelsissimus); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ Comparative ''excelsior'', superlative ''excelsissimus''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the participle of [[excellō]] “to rise above, excel”, used as an adjective; compare [[celsus]] “high”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citations are Cato, of lofty abstract things, and Terence, of great height.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC and Terence 190–159 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==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.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it means lofty, sublime, glorious, and ''Excelsus'' is the Most High.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used ''in excelsō'' for on high.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of lofty things.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of height.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of rank.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|lofty|alt=Lofty]], high.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # [[m|en|sublime|alt=Sublime]], noble.^(OLD 2012)

+ # High in rank, eminent.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin, noun)'' The Most High.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[excelsitās]]

+ * [[excelsum]]

+ * [[perexcelsus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[excellēns]]

+ * [[excellenter]]

+ * [[excellentia]]

+ * [[excellō]]

+ * [[excelsē]]

+ * [[celsus]]

+ * [[en|excelsior]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}