Hypertext Webster Gateway: "paragraph"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Paragraph \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 [para], commonly used in
the text as a reference mark to a footnote, or to indicate
the place of a division into sections.
Note: 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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
[para].
2. To express in the compass of a paragraph; as, to paragraph
an article.
3. To mention in a paragraph or paragraphs
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
paragraph
n : one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to
separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new
indented line
v 1: divide into paragraphs, as of text: "This story is well
paragraphed"
2: write about in a paragraph; "All her friends were
paragraphed in last Monday's paper"
3: write paragraphs; work as a paragrapher
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