paragon
Plural: paragons
Noun
- an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
- model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
- A person of preeminent qualities, who acts as a pattern or model for others.
- A companion; a match; an equal.
- Comparison; competition.
- The size of type between great primer and double pica, standardized as 20-point.
- A flawless diamond of at least 100 carats.
Verb
Verb Forms: paragoned, paragoning, paragons
- To compare something with an ideal standard.
- To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation with.
- To compare with; to equal; to rival.
- To serve as a model for; to surpass.
- To be equal; to hold comparison.
Examples
- He would paragon his Scrabble strategies against the grandmasters’ techniques.
- In the novel, Constanza is a paragon of virtue who would never compromise her reputation.
Origin / Etymology
From Anglo-Norman paragone, peragone, Middle French paragon, from Italian paragone (“comparison”) or Spanish parangón, from Byzantine Greek παρακόνη (parakónē, “whetstone”), from Ancient Greek παρακονάω (parakonáō, “I sharpen, whet”), from παρά (pará) + ἀκόνη (akónē, “whetstone”) (from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”)).
Synonyms
apotheosis, beau ideal, ideal, idol, nonesuch, nonpareil, nonsuch, perfection, saint, archetype, epitome, example, exemplar, icon, model, paradigm, paragon, pattern, quintessence, template
Scrabble Score: 10
paragon: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordparagon: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
paragon: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary