SINCE 1828
excelsior
noun
ex·cel·si·or
| \ ik-ˈsel-sē-ər
, -ȯr\
, -ȯr\
Definition of excelsior
(Entry 1 of 2)
: fine curled wood shavings used especially for packing fragile items
excelsior
Latin adverb
ex·cel·si·or
| \ ik-ˈsel-sē-ər
, eks-ˈkel-sē-ˌȯr\
, eks-ˈkel-sē-ˌȯr\
Definition of excelsior (Entry 2 of 2)
: higher
—motto of New York
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The first known use of excelsior was in 1868
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