Originally Posted By: tsuwm
bzzzz

AHD (OED concurs) has perhaps from Greek parakonan, to sharpen : para-, alongside; see para–1 + akon, whetstone
(cf. It. paragonare)


Indeed. I did suspect many of the para words would have some deep dark derivation from para meaning alongside. And that the discussion would head that way. I guess I don't see the para in paragon as a prefix because

the definition is not simply "alongside a/the gon"
it was attached so long ago that it can not be unaffixed
the average person wouldn't see it a prefix
I was really just trying to avoid words like paralegal and paramedic
it's my thread and I'm making up the rules :p