Par excellence

//ˌpɑr ˌɛksəˈlɑn(t)s// adj, adv

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Most excellent, variously intending; Being the proper or truest example of a general name. not-comparable, postpositional

    "The Santo (which is St. Antonio's church, called il Santo par excellence) […]"

  2. 2
    Most excellent, variously intending; Being a quintessential example of a general type. not-comparable, postpositional

    "This is the age of invention, most certainly—the age, one may say—the age par excellence."

Adverb
  1. 1
    Because or on account of one's excellence. not-comparable

    "The name of Venus is in deede but bautye, And men me fayrest call, per excellencye."

  2. 2
    Most excellently, variously intending; Most especially, in particular, most notably (out of a thing or person's other attributes, roles, etc.). not-comparable

    "He was par excellence a theologian."

  3. 3
    Most excellently, variously intending; In a superior way, in the most representative or fully-developed manner. not-comparable

    "She was par excellence the vigilant member of the house-hold."

Adverb
  1. 1
    to a degree of excellence wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

Unadapted borrowing from French par excellence (“excellently, in an especially representative way; above all”), a calque of Latin per excellentiam, itself a calque of Ancient Greek κατ’ ἐξοχήν (kat’ exokhḗn).

Etymology 2

Unadapted borrowing from French par excellence (“excellently, in an especially representative way; above all”), a calque of Latin per excellentiam, itself a calque of Ancient Greek κατ’ ἐξοχήν (kat’ exokhḗn).

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