Excelsior

New York's motto

Excelsior is a Latin word meaning "ever higher" or "still higher," used as a motto or rallying cry for striving toward excellence.

It's the state motto of New York.

As a common noun, excelsior is fine curled wood shavings used as packing material or stuffing: The fragile vase arrived nestled in excelsior.

motto

aspiration

Strong desire for achievement

achievementAccomplished goal or deed
ambitionDesire for achievement
strivingEarnest sustained endeavor

upward · onward · progress · higher · advancement · New York · state seal · banner · heraldic · nobility

material

wood shavings

Planed timber scraps

packingPutting items in containers
stuffingSeasoned mixture for cavities
cushioningSoftening force or fall

shipping · crates · padding · insulation · protective · bedding · nesting · filling · aspen · packaging

literary

Longfellow

American nineteenth-century poet

poemMetrical literary composition
AlpineOf high European peaks
bannerDisplayed strip with message

youth · avalanche · climber · onward · upward · tragic · romantic · Victorian · recitation · allegory

brand

Stan Lee

Prolific superhero comics creator

comicsSequential art medium
MarvelSuperhero media conglomerate
printingReproducing text mechanically

typography · newspaper · hotel · diamond · premium · quality · trademark · product name · luxury · high-end

Categories

Motorcyclesmotorcycle, motorbike, cruiser, cruisers, sport bike
Classic MotorcyclesBSA, Norton, Triumph, Vincent, Ariel
Dutch FootballAjax, Heracles, Groningen, Antony
Famous GemsHope Diamond, Koh-i-Noor, Star of India
Latin Publications
LongfellowEvangeline, Hiawatha, Christus, The Lighthouse, Hyperion

Opposites

aspiration and ambition

Excelsiorcomplacency

Uncritical satisfaction with oneself

stagnation · mediocrity · apathy · contentment · settling

vertical direction/movement

Excelsiordownward

Toward a lower position

descending · sinking · falling · declining · plummeting

quality standard

Excelsiorinferior

Of lower rank

basest · lowest · worst · bottom-tier · substandard

Family

excel, excels, excelled, excelling, excellence, excellent, excellently, excellency

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Mostly American · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G