Excel \Ex*cel"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Excelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Excelling.]

[L. excellere, excelsum; ex out + a root found in culmen height, top; cf. F. exceller. See Culminate, Column.]

1. To go beyond or surpass in good qualities or laudable deeds; to outdo or outgo, in a good sense.

Excelling others, these were great; Thou, greater still, must these excel. --Prior.

I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. --Eccl. ii. 13.

2. To exceed or go beyond; to surpass.

She opened; but to shut Excelled her power; the gates wide open stood. --Milton.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Excel \Ex*cel"\, v. i. To surpass others in good qualities, laudable actions, or acquirements; to be distinguished by superiority; as, to excel in mathematics, or classics.

Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel. --Gen. xlix. 4.

Then peers grew proud in horsemanship t' excel. --Pope.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)