Par"a*gon (?), n. [OF. paragon, F. parangon; cf. It. paragone, Sp. paragon, parangon; prob. fr. Gr. to rub against; 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Par"a*gon, v. i.
To be equal; to hold comparison.
[R.]
Few or none could . . . paragon with her.
Shelton.
© Webster 1913.