paragon
Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈpæɹəɡən/
Noun

paragon (plural paragons)

  1. A person of preeminent qualities, who acts as a pattern or model for others. [from 16th c.]
    In the novel, Constanza is a paragon of virtue who would never compromise her reputation.
    • c. 1599–1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act II, scene ii]:
      Man, […] the paragon of animals!
    • quote en
  2. (obsolete) A companion; a match; an equal. [16th–19th c.]
    • quote en
  3. (obsolete) Comparison; competition. [16th–17th c.]
    • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, III.ix:
      quote en
  4. (typography, printing, dated) The size of type between great primer and double pica, standardized as 20-point. [from 18th c.]
  5. A flawless diamond of at least 100 carats.
Synonyms Translations Translations Translations Translations
  • French: petit-parangon
  • German: Paragon, Secunda
  • Italian: paragone, ascendonica
  • Spanish: gran paragon
Verb

paragon (paragons, present participle paragoning; past and past participle paragoned)

  1. To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation with.
  2. To compare with; to equal; to rival.
    • quote en
  3. To serve as a model for; to surpass.
    • c. 1603–1604, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act II, scene i]:
      He hath achieved a maid / That paragons description and wild fame.
  4. To be equal; to hold comparison.
Translations Translations Translations Translations
  • German: gleichauf sein, vergleichbar sein



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