Word of the Day - 07/11/26
paragon
/'pærə,ɡɑn/(n.): an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
The new building is a paragon of modern architecture, seamlessly blending innovative design with sustainability.
(n.): model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
She was considered a paragon of virtue, always acting with integrity and kindness.
Word Origin
The word 'paragon' originates from the Middle French 'paragon', which itself came from the Italian 'paragone'. This ultimately derived from the Greek word 'parakonē', meaning 'whetstone' or 'touchstone'. It can be broken down into 'para-' (meaning 'beside' or 'alongside') and 'akonē' (meaning 'whetstone' or 'touchstone'). A touchstone was historically used to test the purity of precious metals by comparing them against the stone, thus 'paragon' evolved to signify an excellent example against which others are measured.
Words sharing the Greek prefix 'para-' meaning 'beside' or 'alongside' include 'parallel' (running beside each other), 'paradox' (a statement contrary to accepted opinion, often placed 'beside' what is expected), and 'paraphrase' (expressing the meaning of something in different words, essentially putting words 'beside' the original). The Greek root 'ak-' (meaning 'sharp' or 'pointed'), from which 'akonē' is derived, also appears in words like 'acme' (the point at which something is best or most perfect) and 'acute' (sharp or severe).
Archetype, epitome, and paragon all refer to exemplary instances, but they emphasize different ideas. An archetype is the defining or quintessential pattern that represents an entire category, an epitome is the perfect embodiment of a particular quality or characteristic, and a paragon is an ideal model of excellence worthy of admiration or imitation. In short, an archetype defines a type, an epitome embodies a trait, and a paragon sets a standard.