Adjacent Words

Paragon definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PAR'AGON, n. [L. par,equal.]
1. A model or pattern; a model by way of distinction, implying superior excellence or perfection; as a paragon of beauty or eloquence.
2. A companion; a fellow.
3. Emulation; a match for trial.
PAR'AGON, v.t.
1. To compare; to parallel.
The picture of Pamela, in little form, he wore in a tablet, purposing to paragon the little one with Artesia's length. [Little used.]
2. To equal. [Little used.]
PAR'AGON, v.i. To pretend comparison or equality. [Little used.]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept [syn: paragon, idol, perfection, beau ideal]
2: model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal [syn: ideal, paragon, nonpareil, saint, apotheosis, nonesuch, nonsuch]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle French, from Old Italian paragone, literally, touchstone, from paragonare to test on a touchstone, from Greek parakonan to sharpen, from para- + akon? whetstone, from ak? point; akin to Greek akm? point — more at edge Date: circa 1548 a model of excellence or perfection II. transitive verb Date: circa 1586 1. to compare with ; parallel 2. to put in rivalry ; match 3. obsolete surpass

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a a model of excellence. b a supremely excellent person or thing. 2 (foll. by of) a model (of virtue etc.). 3 a perfect diamond of 100 carats or more. Etymology: obs. F f. It. paragone touchstone, f. med.Gk parakone whetstone

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Paragon Par"a*gon, v. t. [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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Paragon Par"a*gon, v. i. To be equal; to hold comparison. [R.] Few or none could . . . paragon with her. --Shelton.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Paragon Par"a*gon, n. [OF. paragon, F. parangon; cf. It. paragone, Sp. paragon, parangon; prob. fr. Gr. ? to rub against; ? beside + ? whetstone; cf. LGr. ? a polishing stone.] 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.) A size of type between great primer and double pica. See the Note under Type.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(paragons) If you refer to someone as a paragon, you mean that they are perfect or have a lot of a good quality. We don't expect candidates to be paragons of virtue. N-COUNT: oft N of n

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Model, pattern, masterpiece, nonesuch, pink, beau ideal.

Foolish Dictionary

The model man a woman regrets she gave up for the one she mistakenly married.

Moby Thesaurus

A per se, Miss America, ace, acme, apotheosis, archetype, assimilate, bathing beauty, beau ideal, beaut, beauty, beauty contest winner, beauty queen, belle, best type, boss, bunny, champ, champion, charmer, chief, choice, chosen, classic, commander, compare, cover girl, crackerjack, cream, criterion, cynosure, dazzler, dean, dream, ego ideal, elect, elite, enchantress, epitome, exemplar, fat, flower, fugleman, gem, genius, good example, great beauty, head, hero, higher-up, ideal, jewel, knockout, lady fair, last word, laureate, leader, liken, looker, love, lovely, man of men, master, masterpiece, masterwork, match, mirror, model, nonesuch, nonpareil, optimum, parallel, pattern, pattern of perfection, peach, phoenix, pick, pinup, pinup girl, prime, principal, prize, prodigy, prototype, pussycat, queen, quintessence, raving beauty, reigning beauty, ruler, select, senior, sex kitten, shining example, slick chick, standard, star, stunner, superior, superlative, superman, superstar, the best, the best ever, the greatest, the most, the tops, the very best, top dog, tops, trump, ultimate, very model, virtuoso