Noah Webster
Excel
EXCEL', verb transitive [Latin excello, the root of which, cello, is Not in use.
1. To go beyond; to exceed; to surpass in good qualities or laudable deeds; to outdo.
EXCELling others, these were great;
Thou greater still, must these excel
Many daughters have done virtuously, but
thou excellest them all. Proverbs 31:29.
2. To exceed or go beyond in bad qualities or deeds.
3. To exceed; to surpass.
EXCEL', verb intransitive To have good qualities, or to perform meritorious actions, in an unusual degree; to be eminent, illustrious or distinguished.
Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength. Psalms 103:20.
We say, to excel in mathematics; to excel in painting; to excel in heroic achievements.