paragon
[par-uh-gon, -guh n]
- a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence: a paragon of virtue.
- someone of exceptional merit: Just who is this paragon whose name is on everyone's lips?
- Printing. a 20-point type.
- an unusually large, round pearl.
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- Rare. to compare; parallel.
- Archaic. to be a match for; rival.
- Obsolete. to surpass.
- Obsolete. to regard as a paragon.
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Origin of paragon
1540–50; < Middle French < Old Italian paragone comparison, perhaps < Greek parágōn, present participle of parágein ‘to bring side by side’
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
epitomeexemplarapotheosislovetrumpessencechamparchetypenonpareilbestcreamnonesuchpatternidealcriterionlovelychampionbeautystandardperfectionExamples from the Web for paragon
Contemporary Examples
The Ralph Retort, a paragon of ethical journalism websites, decided to make crowdsourcing stuff to discredit me into a project.
Paragon of virtue Oliver North called for charges to be filed against Warner Brothers Music.
While Bacall seems like a paragon of cool confidence in the final product, she was a nervous wreck on set.
The man who holds ABC/ESPN's wacky goulash of World Cup punditry together strikes viewers as a paragon of congeniality.
World Cup Anchor Mike Tirico’s Bizarre History: Reports of Stalking and Sexual HarassmentMarlow Stern
July 1, 2014
He was a paragon of masculinity—a tall, dark, and impossibly handsome enigma.
What's Happened to Don Draper? Why Everyone’s Favorite ‘Mad Men’ Stud Needs His Mojo BackLizzie Crocker
April 16, 2014
Historical Examples
Then who says Miss Clarissa Harlowe is the paragon of virtue?
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
By Heracles, I said, there never was such a paragon, if he has only one other slight addition.
CharmidesPlato
I can afford to marry, without believing my husband to be a paragon—could you do as much?'
Lord KilgobbinCharles Lever
According to him, she was a paragon of beauty and accomplishments.
Diary And Notes Of Horace Templeton, Esq.Charles James Lever
They will no longer be limited by the defects of their paragon in their efforts to make the most of life.
The Mistakes of JesusWilliam Floyd
paragon
- a model of excellence; patterna paragon of virtue
- a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 20 point
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- archaic
- to equal or surpass
- to compare
- to regard as a paragon
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Word Origin
C16: via French from Old Italian paragone comparison, from Medieval Greek parakonē whetstone, from Greek parakonan to sharpen against, from para- 1 + akonan to sharpen, from akonē whetstone
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for paragon
n.
1540s, from Middle French paragon "a model, pattern of excellence" (15c., Modern French parangon), from Italian paragone, originally "touchstone to test gold" (early 14c.), from paragonare "to test on a touchstone, compare," from Greek parakonan "to sharpen, whet," from para- "on the side" (see para- (1)) + akone "whetstone," from PIE root *ak- "sharp, pointed" (see acrid).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper