in inland duty or impost operating as an indirect tax on the consumer, levied upon certain specified articles, as, tobacco, ale, spirits, etc., grown or manufactured in the country. it is also levied to pursue certain trades and deal in certain commodities. certain direct taxes (as, in england, those on carriages, servants, plate, armorial bearings, etc.), are included in the excise. often used adjectively; as, excise duties; excise law; excise system.-that department or bureau of the public service charged with the collection of the excise taxes.-to lay or impose an excise upon.-to impose upon; to overcharge.-to cut out or off; to separate and remove; as, to excise a tumor.