n. & v.
n. 1 a distinct section of a piece of writing, beginning on a new usu. indented line. 2 a symbol (usu. X!X!) used to mark a new paragraph, and also as a reference mark. 3 a short item in a newspaper, usu. of only one paragraph.
v.tr. arrange (a piece of writing) in paragraphs. paragraphic adj.
[ F paragraphe or med.L paragraphus f. Gk paragraphos short stroke marking a break in sense (as PARA-(1), grapho write) ]