n. [ OF. paragon, F. parangon; cf. It. paragone, Sp. paragon, parangon; prob. fr. Gr. &unr_; to rub against; para` beside + &unr_; whetstone; cf. LGr. &unr_; a polishing stone. ] 1. A companion; a match; an equal. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sister. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Emulation; rivalry; competition. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Full many feats adventurous Performed, in paragon of proudest men. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A model or pattern; especially a pattern of excellence or perfection; as, a paragon of beauty or eloquence. Udall. [ 1913 Webster ] Man, . . . the paragon of animals ! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] The riches of sweet Mary's son, Boy-rabbi, Israel's paragon. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Print.) A size of type between great primer and double pica. See the Note under Type. [ 1913 Webster ] |