n.
- A distinct division of written or printed matter that begins on a new, usually indented line, consists of one or more sentences, and typically deals with a single thought or topic or quotes one speaker's continuous words.
- A mark ( ¶ ) used to indicate where a new paragraph should begin or to serve as a reference mark.
- A brief article, notice, or announcement, as in a newspaper.
To divide or arrange into paragraphs.
[Middle English paragraf, from Old French paragrafe, from Medieval Latin paragraphus, from Greek paragraphos, line showing a break in sense or a change of speakers in a dialogue, from paragraphein, to write beside : para-, beside; see para-1 + graphein, to write.]
paragraphic par'a·graph'ic or par'a·graph'i·cal adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
