per excellentiam

Latin

Etymology

Calque of Ancient Greek κατ' ἐξοχήν (kat' exokhḗn); literally, “through excellence".

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /per ek.skelˈlen.ti.am/, [pɛr ɛks̠kɛlˈlʲɛn̪t̪iä̃ˑ]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /per ek.ʃelˈlen.t͡si.am/, [pɛr ekʃelˈlɛnt̪͡s̪iäm]

Adverb

per excellentiam (not comparable)

1. (Late Latin) par excellence, most excellently, with preeminence
   • 354 CE – 430 CE, Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis, Dē cīuitāte Deī Liber I:

     Glōriōsissimam cīuitātem Deī sīue in hōc tempōrum cursū, cum inter impiōs peregrīnātur ex fide uīuēns, sīue in illā stabilitāte sēdis aeternae quam nunc expectat per patientiam, quoadusque iūstitia conuertātur in iūdicium, deinceps adeptūra per excellentiam uictōriā ultimā et pāce perfectā

     The most glorious city of God whether in this course of time, residing there out of faith as it sojourns among the impious, or in that stability of the eternal seat, which it awaits now through patience, up until justice were to return to judgement, hereafter it will reach with preeminence in ultimate victory and perfect peace

Descendants

• → French: par excellence (calque)