2 entries under this word

Nonpareil

Nŏn'pa-rĕĭl', n.

noun

(nŏn'pa-rĕl'), n. [See infra.]

  1. Something of unequaled excellence; a peerless thing or person.
  2. Hence, specifically, (a.) A sort of apple. (b.) [Fr. nonpareille.] A sort of printing type quite small, and the smallest now used except three, namely, ruby, pearl, and diamond.

☞ This line is printed in the type called nonpareil. (c.) A small sugar-plum. Simmonds. (d.) A kind of narrow ribbon. Simmonds.

Nōn'pa-rēĭl', a.

adjective

(nōn'pa-rēĭl'), a. [Fr., from nom, not, and pareil, equal, from L. Lat. pariculus, diminutive of Lat. par, equal.] Having no equal; peerless.