excelsior

== English == === Etymology === From Latin excelsior, comparative of excelsus (“high”). The name of the stuffing material was originally a trademark. As an exclamation, originating in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Excelsior (1841), based on the New York state motto. Popularized in the comic book fandom by Marvel Comics editor Stan Lee, who chose the term to sign off his columns as it was an obscure term and would confound competing publishers who imitated his style. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ɛkˈsɛl.si.ɔː/ (US) IPA(key): /ɛkˈsɛl.si.ɚ/, /ɪk-/ === Adjective === excelsior (not comparable) (archaic or poetic, rare) Loftier, yet higher, more elevated; ever upward. (archaic or poetic, rare) More surpassing, more excelling. === Interjection === excelsior (dated) Onward; a rallying cry for progress. (fandom slang, especially comics) A greeting, farewell or acclamation. === Noun === excelsior (uncountable) (US printing, dated) The size of type between Norse and brilliant, standardized as 3-point. Synonym: (UK) minikin (Canada, US) Stuffing material (as for furniture and mattresses) made of slender, curled woodshavings, as a substitute for hair. Synonym: wood wool ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === “excelsior”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022. == Latin == === Etymology === excelsus (“elevated”, “lofty”) +‎ -ior (suffix forming adjectives’ comparative degrees) === Pronunciation === (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ɛkˈskɛɫ.si.ɔr] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [ekˈʃɛl.si.or] === Adjective === excelsior (comparative, neuter excelsius); third declension comparative degree of excelsus ==== Declension ==== Third-declension comparative adjective.