paragon
noun
- exemplary person
- flawless large diamond
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈpæɹəɡən/ / /ˈpæɹəˌɡɔn/ / /ˈpæɹəˌɡɑn/
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from Middle French paragon, paragone, from Old Italian paragone, from paragonare (“to test on a touchstone”), perhaps from Ancient Greek παρακονᾶν (parakonân, “to sharpen, whet”), from παρά- (pará-) + ἀκόνη (akónē, “whetstone, sharpening stone”), from ἀκή (akḗ, “point, edge”) (from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”)).
- 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.”
“What a piece of worke is man! how Noble in Reaſon? […] the beauty of the world, the Parragon of Animals;”
- A companion; a match; an equal.
“Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sister”
“Nathlesse proud man himselfe the other deemed, Having so peerlesse paragon ygot”
- Comparison; competition.
“good by paragone / Of euill, may more notably be rad, / As white seemes fairer, macht with blacke attone […].”
- The size of type between great primer and double pica, standardized as 20-point.
- 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
Etymology: Borrowed from Middle French paragon, paragone, from Old Italian paragone, from paragonare (“to test on a touchstone”), perhaps from Ancient Greek παρακονᾶν (parakonân, “to sharpen, whet”), from παρά- (pará-) + ἀκόνη (akónē, “whetstone, sharpening stone”), from ἀκή (akḗ, “point, edge”) (from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”)).
- 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”
- To compare with; to equal; to rival.
“Few or none could for Feature paragon with her, and much less excel her.”
“In arms anon to paragon the morn, / The morn new-riſing, whoſe vermillion hand / Draws from the bright'ning front of heav'n ſerene / The humid curtains of tempeſtuous night, / Mardonius mounts his courſer.”
- To serve as a model for; to surpass.
“He hath achieved a maid / That paragons description and wild fame.”
- To be equal; to hold comparison.