paragons

Noun

paragon (plural paragons)

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.

   Synonyms:

   archetype, epitome, example, exemplar, icon, model, paradigm, pattern, quintessence, template

2. (obsolete) A companion; a match; an equal.
   • Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sistera. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London...
3. (obsolete) Comparison; competition.
   • good by paragone / Of euill, may more notably be rad, / As white seemes fairer, macht with blacke attone […].1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC
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...November 1861, Anon ("E.L.L"), “Precious Stones”, in Temple Bar, volume III, page 377

See all 9 meanings of paragon