excelsior

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin excelsior, comparative of excelsus (“‘high’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ɛkˈsɛlsɪɔː/

[edit] Adjective

excelsior (not comparable)

1. (archaic) Loftier, yet higher; ever upward

[edit] Noun

excelsior (uncountable)

1. An originally copyrighted name for stuffing material (as for furniture and mattresses) made of slender, curled wood shavings, as a substitute for hair.
   • 1942, Elliot Paul, The Last Time I Saw Paris, Sickle Moon 2001, p. 91:

     These little mangers, with baby dolls representing Jesus, porcelean Josephs and Marys, wide-eyed cows of papier-mâché, and excelsior for straw, were purchased by pious parents for well-behaved children at Christmas-tide.

[edit] Usage notes

• This word is sometimes thought to be an adverb, which, perhaps, is inspired by the sounding quite adverbish common "ever upward" translation from Latin.
• "Excelsior!" is the motto of the state of New York.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Latin

[edit] Etymology

From excelsus (“‘elevated, lofty’”).

[edit] Adjective

excelsior (comparative of excelsus)

1. higher, loftier, more elevated

[edit] Inflection

• Third declension, comparative variation (3:COM).