Lewis & Short

prae-cello, ĕre (collat. form, acc. to the 2d conj.; pres. praecellet, Plaut. Ps. 2, 3, 13; perh. originally written praecellit), v. a. and n., to rise above others.

  1. I. Act., to surpass, excel any one (post-Aug.; syn. antecello): praecellere aliquam fecunditate, Tac. A. 2, 43; Dig. 50, 2, 6.
  2. II. Neutr.
    1. A. To distinguish one’s self, to excel (syn. excello): ut quisque fortunā utitur, Ita praecellet, Plaut. Ps. 2, 3, 14: praecellere mobilitate, Lucr. 2, 161: odore et suavitate, Plin. 15, 21, 23, § 85: dignitate inter aliquos, Dig. 2, 14, 8: praecellere per insignem nobilitatem et eloquentiam, Tac. A. 3, 24.
    2. B. Alicui.
      1. 1. To be superior to, to excel: mortalibus, Sil. 15, 74.
      2. 2. To preside or rule over (Tacitean): genti, Tac. A. 12, 15.
        Hence, prae-cellens, entis, P. a., surpassing, excellent, eminent, distinguished (class.).
      1. 1. Of persons: vir et animo et virtute praecellens, Cic. Balb. 10, 25.
        Sup.: vir omnibus rebus praecellentissimus, Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 44, § 97.
      2. 2. Of things: uniones magnitudine praecellentes, Plin. 9, 35, 56, § 113: formā praecellente, id. 7, 53, 54, § 184: vir ingenii praecellentis, Gell. 19, 8, 3.
        Comp.: arbor pomo et suavitate praecellentior, Plin. 12, 6, 12, § 24.