I. ˈper-ə-ˌgän, -gən, ˈpa-rə- 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
II. transitive verb
Date: circa 1586
1. : to compare with : parallel
2. : to put in rivalry : match
3. obsolete : surpass