Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Excellence, -ens, -ent, n. [ME. (Wyclif) and OF. excellence, L. excellentia.]

1. As a title of honour. 1405 Douglas Lett. to Henry IV in Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
Qwhat tyme it like … to yhour hee Excellent to ordane redress 1424 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 15.
Thankand ȝour excellence … of ȝhur gracius benygn writyng 1491 Acta Conc. 168/2.
His trew liegis sulde abone all singulare and particulare proffit desire to prefer the noble estate of his excellence a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 420.
I am the kingis blude, … Onely dependand on his excellence c1500-c1512 Dunb. vii. 6.
In Scotland welcum be thyne excellence c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4590.
Christ did schaw his obedience On to the empriouris excellence

2. Superior quality or worth. 1456 Hay I. 296/18.
As he is preferrit all otheris in honour and excellence Ib. II. 94/8.
They talde … the noblesse, wisedome, and excellence of the king c1475 Wall. viii. 203.
The defendouris … Kepyt thar toun with strenth and excellens a1500 Bk. Chess 1256.
Princis that bene of noble excellens In hert suld be of werraye paciens c1500-c1512 Dunb. vii. 54.
In euery province … Proclamit is thi name of excellence a1585 Maitl. Q. xxxix. 75.
Ane gift ungenand for ȝour excellence