paraph

noun

pa·​raph ˈper-əf How to pronounce paraph (audio)
ˈpa-rəf,
pə-ˈraf How to pronounce paraph (audio)
: a flourish at the end of a signature

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, modification of Latin paragraphus paragraph

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paraph was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near paraph

Cite this Entry

“Paraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraph. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

paraph

1 of 2 noun
in the civil law of Louisiana : the signature of a notary public on a document accompanied by a date, identification of parties, seal, or other required elements

paraph

2 of 2 transitive verb
in the civil law of Louisiana : to affix a paraph to
paraphed the mortgage
also : to include (as particular words) in a paraph
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