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paragraph

1. Originally, a marginal mark or note, set in the margin to call attention to something in the text, e. G, a change of subject; now, the character, commonly used in the text as a reference mark to a footnote, or to indicate the place of a division into sections.

This character is merely a modification of a capital P (the initial of the word paragraph), the letter being reversed, and the black part made white and the white part black for the sake of distinctiveness.

2. A distinct part of a discourse or writing; any section or subdivision of a writing or chapter which relates to a particular point, whether consisting of one or many sentences. The division is sometimes noted by the mark, but usually, by beginning the first sentence of the paragraph on a new line and at more than the usual distance from the margin.

3. A brief composition complete in one typographical section or paragraph; an item, remark, or quotation comprised in a few lines forming one paragraph; as, a column of news paragraphs; an editorial paragraph.

Origin: F. Paragraphe, LL. Paragraphus, fr. Gr. (sc) a line or stroke drawn in the margin, fr. To write beside; beside _ to write. See Para-, and Graphic, and cf. Paraph.

1. To divide into paragraphs; to mark with the character <para/.

2. To express in the compass of a paragraph; as, to paragraph an article.

3. To mention in a paragraph or paragraphs

Origin: Paragraphed; Paragraphing.