from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Excellency \Ex"cel*len*cy\, n.; pl. {Excellencies}.
1. Excellence; virtue; dignity; worth; superiority.
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His excellency is over Israel. --Ps. lxviii.
34.
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Extinguish in men the sense of their own excellency.
--Hooker.
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2. A title of honor given to certain high dignitaries, esp.
to viceroys, ministers, and ambassadors, to English
colonial governors, etc. It was formerly sometimes given
to kings and princes.
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