PARAGRAPH

paragraph

(noun) one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line

paragraph

(verb) write paragraphs; work as a paragrapher

paragraph

(verb) write about in a paragraph; “All her friends were paragraphed in last Monday’s paper”

paragraph

(verb) divide into paragraphs, as of text; “This story is well paragraphed”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

paragraph (plural paragraphs)

A passage in text that is about a different subject from the preceding text, marked by commencing on a new line, the first line sometimes being indented.

(originally) A mark or note set in the margin to call attention to something in the text, such as a change of subject.

(computing) An offset of 16 bytes in Intel memory architectures.

Verb

paragraph (third-person singular simple present paragraphs, present participle paragraphing, simple past and past participle paragraphed)

To sort text into paragraphs.

Source: Wiktionary

Par"a*graph, n. Etym: [F. paragraphe, LL. paragraphus, fr. Gr. 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

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

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

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition