Of persons: To be conspicuous or brilliant in ability, character, achievement, or position; to be eminent or distinguished, to excel.

to bear, fang, have the flower (of): to gain the victory, to have preëminence (among).

To be preëminent, whether in a good or bad sense; to bear the palm; to be greater or better than, surpass others; to preponderate. †to exceed above…

intransitive. To excel exceedingly, to be of surpassing excellence. Also transitive: to surpass, excel to a greater degree than.

To be in greater proportion than another thing; to preponderate; = exceed, v. 5. Obsolete.

The front or leading place; the place in front of (something); frequently in to take the (or a) lead. Also, the position or function of leading…