from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Nonpareil \Non`pa*reil"\, n. [See {Nonpareil}, a. ]
1. Something of unequaled excellence; a peerless thing or
person; a nonesuch; -- often used as a name.
[1913 Webster]
2. [F. nonpareille.] (Print.) A size of type next smaller
than minion and next larger than agate (or ruby).
[1913 Webster]
Note: This line is printed in the type called nonpareil.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.)
(a) A beautifully colored finch ({Passerina ciris}),
native of the Southern United States. The male has the
head and neck deep blue, rump and under parts bright
red, back and wings golden green, and the tail bluish
purple. Called also {painted bunting} and {painted
finch}.
(b) Any other similar bird of the same genus.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
4. (Cookery) A small sphere, less than 1 mm diamter, of
colored sugar, used to decorate confections; -- usually
used in the plural as though the name of a substance; as,
sprinkled with nonpareils.
[PJC]
5. pl. A type of candy chocolate consisting of a small flat
disk of chocolate, less than one inch diameter, having
nonpareils[4] sprinkled on the top; as, she ate a box of
nonpareils at the movie.
[PJC]