In reply to Gordon Stainforth:
Nah. Latin, sure. But it's to be eminent, rarely in the physical sense, based on rise or raise, from cellere, related to celsus (high) and columna (column.)
Unless I misunderstand the Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology which lives on my desk (beneath the sign that says "Pseud.")
The thesaurus is sending me to look at great, supreme, perfect and splendid. That may take time.
Y