Par"a*gon (?), n. [OF. paragon,
F. parangon; cf. It. paragone, Sp. paragon,
parangon; prob. fr. Gr. &?; to rub against; para`
beside + &?; whetstone; cf. LGr. &?; 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; a pattern of excellence
or perfection; as, a paragon of beauty or eloquence.
Udall.
Man, . . . the paragon of animals !
Shak.
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, v. 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.
Shak.
Par"a*gon, v. i. To be equal; to
hold comparison. [R.]
Few or none could . . . paragon with
her.
Shelton.
