excelsior

/ek'selsiɔ:/

Thân thiện

A craftsman packs a fragile vase with excelsior in a cardboard box.

Definition

Noun: 1. Thin, curly wood shavings used for packing or stuffing: A material consisting of fine, slender strips of wood, typically produced by a planing machine, used primarily as a lightweight cushioning or filling material in packaging.

Usage

• As a material noun: "Excelsior" is an uncountable noun referring to the substance itself. It is often used in contexts related to shipping, storage, and crafts.
  • The fragile vase was carefully packed in a box filled with excelsior.
  • They used excelsior to stuff the scarecrow before dressing it.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Industrial Context: While still used, "excelsior" is a somewhat dated term for this packing material. Modern equivalents include foam peanuts, bubble wrap, or shredded paper, but "excelsior" is still recognized, especially in specific industries or historical descriptions.
  • The antique doll, originally packed in excelsior, was found in perfect condition.

Variants and Related Words

• Wood wool: A synonym for excelsior, more commonly used in British English.
• Packing material / Filling: General terms that include excelsior as a specific type.

Synonyms

• Wood shavings
• Packing straw
• Wood wool

Notes on Different Meanings

• The Interjection "Excelsior!": It is critical to distinguish the noun "excelsior" (packing material) from the Latin-derived interjection "Excelsior!" (meaning "ever upward!" or "higher!"). They are homographs (spelled the same) but are different words with entirely different meanings and origins. The interjection is a motto or exclamation, not a physical object.
  • The state's motto is "Excelsior," meaning "Ever Upward." (This is the interjection, not the noun for wood shavings).

Học thuật

Noun

1. thin curly wood shavings used for packing or stuffing

Từ đồng nghĩa

• wood shavings