excellent: [14] The underlying notion of excellent is of physically ‘rising above’ others. It comes via Old French from the present participle of Latin excellere. This was a compound verb formed from the prefix ex- ‘out’ and a hypothetical verbal element *cellere, which evidently meant something like ‘rise, be high’: it derived ultimately from an Indo-European base *kol-, *kel- which also produced English column, culminate, and hill.
There is little evidence of its literal use in Latin; the metaphorical ‘be outstanding’ evidently elbowed it aside at an early stage. (English acquired excel itself in the 15th century, incidentally.) => column, culminate, hill
mid-14c., from Old French excellent "outstanding, excellent," from Latin excellentem (nominative excellens) "towering, prominent, distinguished, superior, surpassing," present participle of excellere "surpass, be superior; to rise, be eminent" (see excel). Related: Excellently.
双语例句
1. The regions are interconnected by an excellent highway system.
那些地区通过完善的公路系统相互连接。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Both offer excellent value at around £90 for a double room.
两家的双人客房都报出了大约90英镑的超值价格。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Large overseas-based trusts are an excellent each way bet.
大型海外基金的投资前景非常好。
来自柯林斯例句
4. She has always had a high reputation for her excellent short stories.
她一直因其优秀的短篇小说享有很高的声望。
来自柯林斯例句
5. This is an excellent time for affairs of the heart.
