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)