Performs better than others at something, or is superior in ability or quality.
From Latin 'excellere' ('ex-' meaning out + 'cellere' meaning to rise or stand out). The root literally means 'to stand out above the crowd.''
The Latin root 'cellere' is related to 'cellar' and height concepts—to excel is literally to rise higher, which is why we use vertical metaphors for success ('top performer,' 'climbing the ladder').
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