I.pres. praecellet, Plaut. Ps. 2, 3, 13; perh. originally written praecellit), v. a. and n., to rise above others.
I. Act., to surpass, excel any one (post-Aug.; “syn. antecello): praecellere aliquam fecunditate,” Tac. A. 2, 43; Dig. 50, 2, 6.—
II. Neutr.
A. To distinguish one's self, to excel (syn. excello): “ut quisque fortunā utitur, Ita praecellet,” Plaut. Ps. 2, 3, 14: “praecellere mobilitate,” Lucr. 2, 161: “odore et suavitate,” Plin. 15, 21, 23, § 85: “dignitate inter aliquos,” Dig. 2, 14, 8: “praecellere per insignem nobilitatem et eloquentiam,” Tac. A. 3, 24.—
B. Alicui.
1. To be superior to, to excel: “mortalibus,” Sil. 15, 74.—
2. To preside or rule over (Tacitean): “genti,” Tac. A. 12, 15.—Hence, prae-cellens , entis, P. a., surpassing, excellent, eminent, distinguished (class.).
1. Of persons: “vir et animo et virtute praecellens,” Cic. Balb. 10, 25.—Sup.: “vir omnibus rebus praecellentissimus,” Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 44, § 97.—
2. Of things: “uniones magnitudine praecellentes,” Plin. 9, 35, 56, § 113: “formā praecellente,” id. 7, 53, 54, § 184: “vir ingenii praecellentis,” Gell. 19, 8, 3.—Comp.: “arbor pomo et suavitate praecellentior,” Plin. 12, 6, 12, § 24.
