a. and sb. Obs. [ad. L. excels-us high, lofty, ppl. adj. of excellĕre: see EXCEL.]
A. adj. Lofty, high; rare in lit. sense; fig. of high rank, character or quality.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 390. Besechyng his excelse, high, and adorant Majestie, that he would witsafe to graunt him this or that.
1598. Yong, Diana, 48. Any beautie … Though it be neuer so excelse.
1651. Howell, Venice, 116. Most excelse and victorious Prince.
1656. Earl Monm., Advt. fr. Parnass., 293. They … did chiefly wonder, that the prime Senators of so excelse a Commonwealth, did freely exercise marchandising.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 458. Those that inhabit excelse plants.
1730–6. in Bailey (folio).
1775. in Ash.
B. sb. [trans. L. excelsum.] A ‘high place.’ rare–1.
[1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., II. (1520), 18/2. Jonathan son to Osyas … toke not away excelsa as other dyde.]
1609. Bible (Douay), Isa. xvi. 12. Moab hath laboured for his excelses [1611 the high place].
