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Webster 1913 Edition

Paragon

Par′a-gon

(păr′ȧ-gŏn)
,
Noun.
[OF.
paragon
, F.
parangon
; cf. It.
paragone
, Sp.
paragon
,
parangon
; prob. fr. Gr. [GREEK] to rub against;
παρά
beside + [GREEK] whetstone; cf. LGr. [GREEK] 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;
especially
a pattern of excellence or perfection;
as, a
paragon
of beauty or eloquence
.
Udall.
Man, . . . the
paragon
of animals !
Shakespeare
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
.

Par′a-gon

,
Verb.
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.
Shakespeare

Par′a-gon

,
Verb.
I.
To be equal; to hold comparison.
[R.]
Few or none could . . .
paragon
with her.
Shelton.

Webster 1828 Edition

Paragon

PAR'AGON

,
Noun.
[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

,
Verb.
I.
To pretend comparison or equality. [Little used.]

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