† preˈcel, v. Obs.
Also 6 Sc. presell.
[ad. L. præcell-ĕre to (rise above,) surpass, excel, f. præ, pre- A. 5 + *cellĕre to rise higher, to tower; cf. excel. Cf. obs. F. préceller.]
1. intr. To be superior; to excel, surpass.
| c 1400 Apol. Loll. 59 If he precelle in sciens & holines. 1430–40 Lydg. Bochas i. i. (MS. Bodl. 263) 13/2 As we precelle in wisdam and resoun. 1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Tim. iii. 9 It is conueniente, that he whiche precelleth in honor, should also precelle in vertues. 1550 J. Coke Eng. & Fr. Heralds §54 (1877) 73 Malgo..precelled in beautye, puyssaunce, force, and strengthe, of all men in those dayes. 1552–1756 [see precelling]. |
2. trans. To be superior to; to surpass, excel (another or others); = excel v. 2.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 31 Bledgarec kynge precellede alle other in musike. 1530 Lyndesay Test. Papyngo 26 As Phebus dois Synthia presell. 1661 Cressy Refl. Oathes Suprem. & Alleg. 91 Be subject to every humane creature, to the King as precelling all others. |
Hence † preˈcelling vbl. n.
| a 1532 Remedie of Loue Prol. v, Flouring youth, which..a precelling haste aboue age In many a singuler commodite. |