Main Entry: ¹par·a·graph

Pronunciation: \ˈper-ə-ˌgraf, ˈpa-rə-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English paragraf marginal sign marking a paragraph, from Anglo-French parogref, from Medieval Latin paragraphus, from Greek paragraphos line used to mark change of persons in a dialogue, from paragraphein to write alongside, from para- + graphein to write — more at carve

Date: 1525

1 a : a subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences, deals with one point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on a new usually indented line b : a short composition or note that is complete in one paragraph
2 : a character (as ¶) used to indicate the beginning of a paragraph and as a reference mark

— par·a·graph·ic \ˌper-ə-ˈgra-fik, ˌpa-rə-\ adjective