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par excellence

[pahr ek-suh-lahns, ek-suh-lans; French pa-rek-se-lahns]
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adjective
  1. being an example of excellence; superior; preeminent (used postpositively): a chef par excellence.
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adverb
  1. above all; preeminently.His method stands par excellence as the most reliable of all.
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Origin of par excellence

From French
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for par excellence

Historical Examples

  • Dainty and exquisite, perfect in shape and color its tiny white bell is par-excellence the emblem of passionate purity.

    The Lake of the Sky

    George Wharton James

  • The young authors considered their work to be par-excellence, but the adults in the audience forbore to render an opinion.

    Polly and Her Friends Abroad

    Lillian Elizabeth Roy

British Dictionary definitions for par excellence

par excellence

adverb
  1. to a degree of excellence; beyond comparisonshe is the charitable lady par excellence
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Word Origin

literally: by (way of) excellence
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for par excellence

French, from Latin per excellentiam "by the way of excellence." From French par "by way of, by means of," from Latin per (see per). For second element see excellence.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper