(v. a.P. a.) : 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.
* Act., to surpass, excel any one (post-Aug.; syn. antecello): praecellere aliquam fecunditate,Tac. A. 2, 43; Dig. 50, 2, 6.
* Neutr.
* 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.
* Alicui.
* To be superior to, to excel: mortalibus,Sil. 15, 74.
* To preside or rule over (Tacitean): genti,Tac. A. 12, 15.—Hence, prae-cellens, entis, P. a., surpassing, excellent, eminent, distinguished (class.).
* Of persons: vir et animo et virtute praecellens,Cic. Balb. 10, 25.—Sup.: vir omnibus rebus praecellentissimus,Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 44, § 97.
* 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.

s. TLL