noun

excellency

EK-suh-lun-see/ˈeksələnsi/

The quality of being exceptionally good or distinguished.

The official's excellency is acknowledged with deep bows and ceremonial gifts.

At a diplomatic ceremony, attendants bow deeply to a high-ranking official seated above the delegation while presenting formal gifts.

Etymology

exLatinout from

+cellLatinto rise high, tower

+encyLatinstate or quality

Rising high or towering supplies the image behind superiority. The resulting noun came to mean high rank and then served as an honorific for someone holding such rank.

In context

Curtin University presenter6:45

from her Excellency Miss Quentin Bryce AC, the Governor General

For Love - Jane Caro and Catherine Fox

Iowa PBS presenter3:20

The former Minister of Agriculture of Brazil, His Excellency Roberto Rodrigues.

2013 World Food Prize

More examples

The judges praise the excellency of the choir's performance.
The award recognizes the excellency of his research.
The essay celebrates the excellency of her poetry.

Forms

excellency

excellent adjective — Exceptionally good or high in quality.

excel verb — To perform exceptionally well at something.

Similar words

excellence: The usual modern word for exceptionally high quality.
superiority: Emphasizes being better than others in a particular respect.
distinction: Emphasizes exceptional achievement or the recognition it brings.