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Paragon

//ˈpæɹəɡən// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A person of preeminent qualities, who acts as a pattern or model for others.

    "In the novel, Constanza is a paragon of virtue who would never compromise her reputation."

  2. 2
    an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept wordnet
  3. 3
    A companion; a match; an equal. obsolete

    "Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sister"

  4. 4
    model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal wordnet
  5. 5
    Comparison; competition. obsolete

    "good by paragone / Of euill, may more notably be rad, / As white seemes fairer, macht with blacke attone […]."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    The size of type between great primer and double pica, standardized as 20-point. dated
  2. 7
    A flawless diamond of at least 100 carats.

    "The "Koh-i-noor," or "Mountain of Light," is the eighth and smallest of these paragon diamonds (all diamonds weighing over a hundred carats are called Paragon); but it was originally the largest diamond ever known, weighing uncut 900 carats. . . this matchless gem of 900 carats which once belonged to the Great Mogul, and was the very paragon of paragons."

Verb
  1. 1
    To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation with.

    "for want of a bigger , to paragon the little one with Artesia's length"

  2. 2
    To compare with; to equal; to rival.

    "Few or none could for Feature paragon with her, and much less excel her."

  3. 3
    To serve as a model for; to surpass.

    "He hath achieved a maid / That paragons description and wild fame."

  4. 4
    To be equal; to hold comparison.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Anglo-Norman paragone, peragone, Middle French paragon, from Italian paragone (“comparison”) or Spanish parangón, from Byzantine Greek παρακόνη (parakónē, “whetstone”), from Ancient Greek παρακονάω (parakonáō, “I sharpen, whet”), from παρά (pará) + ἀκόνη (akónē, “whetstone”) (from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”)).

Etymology 2

From Anglo-Norman paragone, peragone, Middle French paragon, from Italian paragone (“comparison”) or Spanish parangón, from Byzantine Greek παρακόνη (parakónē, “whetstone”), from Ancient Greek παρακονάω (parakonáō, “I sharpen, whet”), from παρά (pará) + ἀκόνη (akónē, “whetstone”) (from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”)).

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