Main Entry: ¹par·a·gon

Pronunciation: \ˈper-ə-ˌgän, -gən, ˈpa-rə-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle French, from Old Italian paragone, literally, touchstone, from paragonare to test on a touchstone, from Greek parakonan to sharpen, from para- + akonē whetstone, from akē point; akin to Greek akmē point — more at edge

Date: circa 1548

: a model of excellence or perfection