noun

1. a model or pattern of perfection or excellence
2. a perfect diamond weighing a hundred carats or more
3. a large, perfectly round pearl

Etymology: MFr (Fr parangon) < It paragone, a comparison, test, lit., touchstone < paragonare, to test, compare < Gr parakonan, to whet < para-, para- + akonē, whetstone: for IE base see acid

transitive verb

1. Old Poet.
   1. to put side by side; compare
   2. to be equal to; match
2. Obsolete to surpass