PARAGON

paragon, idol, perfection, beau ideal

(noun) an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept

ideal, paragon, nonpareil, saint, apotheosis, nonesuch, nonsuch

(noun) model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

paragon (plural paragons)

A person of preeminent qualities, who acts as a pattern or model for others. [from 16th c.]

(obsolete) A companion; a match; an equal. [16th–19th c.]

(obsolete) Comparison; competition. [16th–17th c.]

(typography, printing, dated) The size of type between great primer and double pica, standardized as 20-point. [from 18th c.]

A flawless diamond of at least 100 carats.

Synonyms

• (model): See model

Verb

paragon (third-person singular simple present paragons, present participle paragoning, simple past and past participle paragoned)

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

To compare with; to equal; to rival.

To serve as a model for; to surpass.

To be equal; to hold comparison.

Source: Wiktionary


Par"a*gon, n. Etym: [OF. paragon, F. parangon; cf. It. paragone, Sp. paragon, parangon; prob. fr. Gr.

1. A companion; a match; an equal. [Obs.] Spenser. Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sister. Sir P. Sidney.

2. Emulation; rivalry; competition. [Obs.] Full many feats adventurous Performed, in paragon of proudest men. Spenser.

3. A model or pattern; a pattern of excellence or perfection; as, a paragon of beauty or eloquence. Udall. Man, . . . the paragon of animals ! Shak. The riches of sweet Mary's son, Boy-rabbi, Israel's paragon. Emerson.

4. (Print.)

Definition: A size of type between great primer and double pica. See the Note under Type.

Par"a*gon, v. t. Etym: [Cf. OF. paragonner, F. parangonner.]

1. To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation with. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

2. To compare with; to equal; to rival. [R.] Spenser. In arms anon to paragon the morn, The morn new rising. Glover.

3. To serve as a model for; to surpass. [Obs.] He hath achieved a maid That paragons description and wild fame. Shak.

Par"a*gon, v. i.

Definition: To be equal; to hold comparison. [R.] Few or none could . . . paragon with her. Shelton.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

9 March 2025

CLOG

(verb) fill to excess so that function is impaired; “Fear clogged her mind”; “The story was clogged with too many details”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

coffee icon