a. Now rare. [f. L. eximi-us excepted, select, choice (f. eximĕre: see EXEMPT v.) + -OUS.]
Common in 17th-c. literature: the few examples in 19th c. are humorously bombastic or pedantic.
Excellent, distinguished, eminent.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, ccxxxvi. Kynges, and kynges sones, and other noble men hath ben eximious Phisicions.
1619. W. Sclater, Expos. 1 Thess. (1630), 236. Things … eximious and eminent in loue aboue many other Graces.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 502. This syrupe is eximious against many affections of the Lungs.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. v. 709. And our Saviour Christ, was unquestionably, that One Eximious Prophet, which God Almighty by Moses promised to send unto the Israelites.
1681. Glanvill, Sadducismus, II. 187. There is in this Relation an eximious example of the Magical venome of Witches.
1710. R. Ward, Life H. More, 222. Why should this Eximious Heros be Sollicitous for himself?
1829. T. L. Peacock, Misfort. Elphin, 103. All [were] … the most eximious and transcendent persons … of the earth.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., XIII. ii. Oh ye wigs, and eximious wig-blocks, called right-honourable.
1868. Browning, Ring & Bk., IX. 109. The picture be for our eximious Rome.
Hence † Eximiously, in an ‘eximious’ manner; excellently, notably, singularly. † Eximiousness, the quality of being ‘eximious.’
1650. W. Sclater (Jun.), in W. Sclater’s Exp. Rom. iv. Ep. Ded. It being so eximiously beautified.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 505. It is most eximiously Medicinal.
1681. H. More, Expos. Daniel, ii. 42. Is not this part of the Prophecy also eximiously fulfilled…?
1730–6. Bailey (folio), Eximiousness.
Hence 1775. Ash, Eximiousness.
