Lewis & Short

1. celsus, a, um, adj. [P. a., of obsolete 2. cello, found in antecello, excello, etc., to rise high, tower; root kar-, in κάρη, κάρηνον, κόρυς; cerebrum, crista, pro-ceres; calamus, culmus, columna, etc.], raised high, extending upward, high, lofty (syn.: altus, erectus, sublimis, elatus, procerus).

  1. I. Physically: (deus homines) humo excitatos, celsos et erectos constituit, Cic. N. D. 2, 56, 140: celsissimo Germano procerior (Judaeus), Col. 3, 8, 2: status (oratoris) et erectus et celsus, Cic. Or. 18, 59; cf. Liv. 30, 32, 11; and celsior ingressus, Plin. 11, 16, 16, § 51: in cornua cervus, Ov. M. 10, 538 (cf.: surgens in cornua cervus, Verg. A. 10, 725): capitolia, Verg. A. 8, 653: turres, Hor. C. 2, 10, 10; Ov. M. 3, 61: Acherontia, Hor. C. 3, 4, 14: Apenninus, id. Epod. 16, 29; cf.: vertex montis, Cic. poët. Div. 1, 7, 13: celsa Paphus atque Cythera, lofty, Verg. A. 10, 51: ne, si celsior (ibis), ignis adurat (opp. demissior), Ov. M. 8, 205.
  2. II. Morally.
    1. A. In a good sense.
      1. 1. High, lofty, elevated above that which is common, great (syn.: erectus, eminens, excellens, altus): celsus et erectus et ea, quae homini accidere possunt, omnia parva ducens, Cic. Tusc. 5, 14, 42: generosior celsiorque, Quint. 1, 3, 30: mente, Sil. 16, 188.
      2. 2. Elevated in rank or station, noble, eminent: celsissima sedes dignitatis atque honoris, Cic. Sull. 2, 5: eques, Stat. S. 1, 4, 42; cf. under adv. and Celeres.
    2. B. In a bad sense, haughty, proud, high-spirited: haec jura suae civitatis ignorantem, erectum et celsum, etc., Cic. de Or. 1, 40, 184: celsi et spe haud dubia feroces, Liv. 7, 16, 5: celsi Ramnes, Hor. A. P. 342; Sil. 16, 187.
      Hence, adv.: celsē.
  1. I. (Acc. to I.) High; comp., Col. 4, 19, 2; Claud. ap. Eutr. 1, 387; Amm. 25, 4.
  2. II. (Acc. to II.) Nobly: nati, Stat. S. 3, 3, 145 (others read: celso natorum honore).