Par"a*graph (?), n. [F.
paragraphe, LL. paragraphus, fr. Gr.
para`grafos (sc. grammh`) a line or stroke drawn
in the margin, fr. paragra`fein to write beside;
para` beside + gra`fein to write. See Para-
, and Graphic, and cf. Paraph.] 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.
&fist; 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.
Par"a*graph, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Paragraphed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Paragraphing.]
1. To divide into paragraphs; to mark with the
character ¶.
2. To express in the compass of a paragraph;
as, to paragraph an article.
3. To mention in a paragraph or
paragraphs
