Definition of paragon

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par·a·gon    (pr-gn, -gn) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A model of excellence or perfection of a kind; a peerless example: a paragon of virtue.
2. 1. An unflawed diamond weighing at least 100 carats.
   2. A very large spherical pearl.
3. Printing A type size of 20 points.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
par·a·goned, par·a·gon·ing, par·a·gons

1. To compare; parallel.
2. To equal; match.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Obsolete French, from Old French, from Old Italian paragone, from paragonare, to test on a touchstone, perhaps from Greek parakonn, to sharpen : para-, alongside ; see para-¹ + akon, whetstone; see ak- in Indo-European roots