I. ˈparəˌgraf, -graa(ə)f, -graif, -grȧf also ˈper- noun
Etymology: Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French paragraphe section of writing, from Medieval Latin paragraphus sign used to mark a new section of writing, from Greek paragraphos line used to mark change of persons in a dialogue, from paragraphein to write alongside, from para- para- (I) + graphein to write — more at carve
1.
a. : a distinct section or subdivision of a written or printed composition that consists of from one to many sentences, forms a rhetorical unit (as by dealing with a particular point of the subject or by comprising the words of a distinct speaker), and is indicated by beginning on a new usually indented line
b. : a usually numbered article or section of a law or legal document
c. : a short composition consisting of a group of sentences dealing with a single topic
d. : a short article, item, or note in a newspaper or magazine that is complete in one typographical section
2. : a character (as ¶) used to indicate the beginning of a paragraph (as in manuscripts and printer's proofs) and in printing as the sixth in series of the reference marks
II. transitive verb
1. : to write paragraphs about : mention in a paragraph
sneered at by all my acquaintance and paragraphed in the newspapers — R.B.Sheridan
2. : to divide into paragraphs
the Revised Version is much better paragraphed than the Authorized — J.T.Sunderland
intransitive verb
: to write paragraphs ; specifically : to work as a paragrapher