excelsior

¹

[ ik-sel-see-er, ek- ]

noun

1. fine wood shavings, used for stuffing, packing, etc.
2. Printing. a 3-point type: a size smaller than brilliant.

excelsior

²

[ ek-sel-si-ohr; English ik-sel-see-awr, ek- ]

adjective

, Latin.

1. ever upward: motto of New York State.

excelsior

/ ɪkˈsɛlsɪˌɔː /

interjection

1. excellent: used as a motto and as a trademark for various products, esp in the US for fine wood shavings used for packing breakable objects
2. upwards

Word History and Origins

Origin of excelsior¹

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80; formerly a trademark

Word History and Origins

Origin of excelsior¹

C19: from Latin: higher

Example Sentences

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, and outside of it, on 40 acres of half-hearted farmland outside of Excelsior, Minnesota.

From The Daily Beast

One of the best of all parodies is one in imitation of Longfellow's "Excelsior," entitled "Tobacco."

From Project Gutenberg

We had to turn aside on our way downstairs for more furniture to make Buster a bed in a box full of excelsior in the shed.

From Project Gutenberg

Although it did not cry "Excelsior," its output of vocables might have been mistaken, by a casual ear, for that clarion call.

From Project Gutenberg

Briefly, it was a boom for the author and the "Daily Excelsior."

From Project Gutenberg

The dispatch had been redirected from the office of the "Daily Excelsior."

From Project Gutenberg