Main Entry:

ex·cel·len·cy

Pronunciation:

\-s(ə-)lən(t)-sē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural ex·cel·len·cies

Date:

15th century

1: excellence ; especially : outstanding or valuable quality —usually used in plural <so crammed, as he thinks, with excellencies — Shakespeare>2—used as a title for high dignitaries of state (as a governor or an ambassador) or church (as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)