n. [ OF. paragon, F. parangon; cf. It. paragone, Sp. paragon, parangon; prob. fr. Gr. &unr_; to rub against; para` beside + &unr_; whetstone; cf. LGr. &unr_; a polishing stone. ] 1. A companion; a match; an equal. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sister. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Emulation; rivalry; competition. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Full many feats adventurous
Performed, in paragon of proudest men. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A model or pattern; especially a pattern of excellence or perfection; as, a paragon of beauty or eloquence. Udall. [ 1913 Webster ]

Man, . . . the paragon of animals ! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The riches of sweet Mary's son,
Boy-rabbi, Israel's paragon. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Print.) A size of type between great primer and double pica. See the Note under Type. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. OF. paragonner, F. parangonner. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation with. [ Obs. ] Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To compare with; to equal; to rival. [ R. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

In arms anon to paragon the morn,
The morn new rising. Glover. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To serve as a model for; to surpass. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He hath achieved a maid
That paragons description and wild fame. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be equal; to hold comparison. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Few or none could . . . paragon with her. Shelton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Gr. &unr_;, p. pr. of &unr_; to mislead. ] (Min.) A kind of mica related to muscovite, but containing soda instead of potash. It is characteristic of the paragonite schist of the Alps. [ 1913 Webster ]