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paragon

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par⋅a⋅gon

  [par-uh-gon, -guhn]
Use paragon in a Sentence
–noun
1. a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence.
2. Printing. a 20-point type.
3. an unusually large, round pearl.
–verb (used with object)
4. to compare; parallel.
5. to be a match for; rival.
6. Obsolete. to surpass.
7. Obsolete. to regard as a paragon.
Origin:
1540–50; < MF < OIt paragone comparison, perh. < Gk parágōn, prp. of parágein to bring side by side

Related forms:
par⋅a⋅gon⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. ideal, standard; nonesuch, nonpareil.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To paragon
Business Continuity SW
Complete BC Software Solutions from the Business Continuity Leader
www.SunGard.com
New Product Development
Electronic, Software, Mech./I.D. Embedded Systems Development
www.ParagonInnovations.com
par·a·gon   (pār'ə-gŏn', -gən)   
n.  

  1. A model of excellence or perfection of a kind; a peerless example: a paragon of virtue.

    1. An unflawed diamond weighing at least 100 carats.

    2. A very large spherical pearl.

  3. Printing A type size of 20 points.

tr.v.   par·a·goned, par·a·gon·ing, par·a·gons

  1. To compare; parallel.

  2. To equal; match.


[Obsolete French, from Old French, from Old Italian paragone, from paragonare, to test on a touchstone, perhaps from Greek parakonān, to sharpen : para-, alongside; see para-1 + akonē, whetstone; see ak- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

paragon 
1548, from M.Fr. paragon "a model, pattern of excellence" (15c.), from It. paragone, originally "touchstone to test gold" (c.1324), from paragonare "to test on a touchstone, compare," from Gk. parakonan "to sharpen, whet," from para- "on the side" + akone "whetstone," from PIE base *ak- "be pointed."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Computing Dictionary

Paragon
Mark Sherman. IEEE Software (Nov 1991).

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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