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]

   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]