[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That excels; superior, surpassing. Now only in good sense. † Of a number: Exceedingly great.
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 67. They are excelling parts of Poesie.
1604. Shaks., Oth., V. ii. 11. Thou cunning’st Patterne of excelling Nature.
1646. H. Lawrence, Comm. Angels, 5. The Divell hath a most excelling malice.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, D iij b. That may in time make up an excelling number.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, IV. 334. The excelling Youth should be set to read … a little Portion from the best Translations.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord., Introd. 20. These communities produced some of the most excelling of the early artists.
1879. Chr. Rossetti, Seek & F., 34. The Law … was not glorious, as compared with the excelling glory of the Gospel.
Hence Excellingly adv., Excellingness, the state or quality of excelling; = EXCELLENCE.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 452. Make mee excellingly vnfortunate.
1701. Beverley, Glory of Grace, 31. It is raised to that Excellingness, that [etc.].
