excelsior
pronunciation
How to pronounce excelsior in British English:
UK [ek'selsɪɔː]
How to pronounce excelsior in American English:
US [ ɪk'sɛlsɪr]
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- Noun:
- thin curly wood shavings used for packing or stuffing
Word Origin
- excelsior
- Latin excelsior "higher," comparative of excelsus (adj.) "high, elevated, lofty," past participle of excellere "rise, be eminent" (see excel). Taken 1778 as motto of New York State, where it apparently was mistaken for an adverb. Popularized 1841 as title of a poem by Longfellow. As a trade name for "thin shavings of soft wood used for stuffing cushions, etc.," first recorded 1868, American English.
Example
- 1. Nursing shouldn 't be over-operational , but it should be excelsior .
- 2. In the supreme court , the plurality opinion strongly criticized the nlrb 's failure to use rulemaking procedure to establish the excelsior list requirement .
- 3. She works at the excelsior for 37.5 hours each week .
- 4. She works at the excelsior for 37.5 hours each week . At night she works behind the counter at a fast-food restaurant .
- 5. Interest is wide , study this professional technology and theory assiduously , excelsior to the job .