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*so"dic*al*ly, adv. Such a figure as Jacob Brattle, purely episodical though it be, is an excellent English portrait. H. James.

The quality of being excellent; state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue. Consider first that great Or bright infers not excellence. Milton.

Select; choice; hence, extraordinary, excellent. [Obs.] The eximious and arcane science of physic. Fuller.

The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to happen; prospect of anything good to come, esp. of c or rank. His magnificent expiations made him, in the opinion of the world, the best much in Europe. Prescott. By all men's eyes a youth of expectations. Otway.

to utter; to tell. My words express my purpose. Shak. They expressed in their lives those excellent doctrines of morality. Addison.

ught out; hence, of distinguishing and surpassing quality; exceedingly nice; delightfully excellent; giving rare satisfaction; as, exquisite workmanship. Plate of rare device, and jewels Of reach and exquisite form. Shak. I have no exquisite reason for 't, but I have reason good enough. Shak.

Finished; brought to perfection; refined; hence, free from impurity; excellent; superior; elegant; worthy of admiration; accomplished; beautiful. The gain thereof [is better] than fine gold. Prov. iii. 14. A cup of wine that's brisk and fine. Shak. Not only the finest gentleman of his time, but one of the finest schola…

Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest; as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece. At first blush. See under Blush. -- At first hand, from the first or original source; without the intervention of any agent. It is the intention of the person to reveal it at first hand, by way of mouth, to yoursel…

First brought forth; first in the order of nativity; eldest; hence, most excellent; most distinguished or exalted.

ontrive; to compose; in a bad sense, to invent or fabricate, as something false. How many excellent reasonings are framed in the mind of a man of wisdom and study in a length of years. I. Watts.

attributes, qualities, or acts that are worthy of or receive glory; noble; praiseworthy; excellent; splendid; illustrious; inspiring admiration; as, glorious deeds. These are thy glorious works, Parent of good ! Milton.

Very precious; highly valuable; excellent; eminently auspicious; as, golden opinions. Golden age. (a) The fabulous age of primeval simplicity and purity of manners in rural employments, followed by the silver, bronze, and iron ages. Dryden. (b) (Roman Literature) The best part (B. C. 81 -- A. D. 14) of the classical pe…

wer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. Gen. i. 31. Good company, good wine, good welcome. Shak.…

Excellently. [Obs.] Spenser.

Abounding in beauty, loveliness, or amiability; graceful; excellent. Since the birth of Cain, the first male child, . . . There was not such a gracious creature born. Shak.

A kind of fall apple, marked with streaks of deep red and orange, and of excellent flavor and quality.

which the Rhode Island greening is the best known for its fine-grained acid flesh and its excellent keeping quality.

box, and the like, in distinction from pine, poplar, hemlock, etc.- In hard condition, in excellent condition for racing; having firm muscles;-said of race horses.

ire, England. The Herefords are good working animals, and their beef-producing quality is excellent.

sake I admit That a Scot may have humor, I'd almost said wit. Goldsmith. A great deal of excellent humor was expended on the perplexities of mine host. W. Irving. Aqueous humor, Crystalline humor or lens, Vitreous humor. (Anat.) See Eye. -- Out of humor, dissatisfied; displeased; in an unpleasant frame of mind.…