paragon

noun

1. A person of preeminent qualities, who acts as a pattern or model for others.

   “In the novel, Constanza is a paragon of virtue who would never compromise her reputation.”

   “What a piece of worke is man! how Noble in Reaſon? […] the beauty of the world, the Parragon of Animals;”

   “That thou might'st cherish for thine own / The riches of sweet Mary's son, / Boy-Rabbi, Israel's paragon.”

   “Yes, there were instances of grandstanding and obsessive behaviour, but many were concealed at the time to help protect an aggressively peddled narrative of [Oscar] Pistorius the paragon, the emblem, the trailblazer.”

   “Liz Cheney and her father are positioning themselves as protectors of the old order, as paragons of truth and as defenders of our American norms.”

2. (obsolete)A companion; a match; an equal.

   “Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sister”

   “Nathlesse proud man himselfe the other deemed, Having so peerlesse paragon ygot”

3. (obsolete)Comparison; competition.

   “good by paragone / Of euill, may more notably be rad, / As white seemes fairer, macht with blacke attone […].”

4. (dated)The size of type between great primer and double pica, standardized as 20-point.
5. A flawless diamond of at least 100 carats.

   “The "Koh-i-noor," or "Mountain of Light," is the eighth and smallest of these paragon diamonds (all diamonds weighing over a hundred carats are called Paragon); but it was originally the largest diamond ever known, weighing uncut 900 carats. . . this matchless gem of 900 carats which once belonged to the Great Mogul, and was the very paragon of paragons.”

verb

1. To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation with.

   “for want of a bigger , to paragon the little one with Artesia's length”

2. To compare with; to equal; to rival.

   “Few or none could for Feature paragon with her, and much less excel her.”

   “In arms anon to paragon the morn, / The morn new-riſing, whoſe vermillion hand / Draws from the bright'ning front of heav'n ſerene / The humid curtains of tempeſtuous night, / Mardonius mounts his courſer.”

3. To serve as a model for; to surpass.

   “He hath achieved a maid / That paragons description and wild fame.”

4. To be equal; to hold comparison.