I. ˈper-ə-ˌgraf, ˈpa-rə- noun
Etymology: Middle English paragraf marginal sign marking a paragraph, from Anglo-French parogref, from Medieval Latin paragraphus, from Greek paragraphos line used to mark change of persons in a dialogue, from paragraphein to write alongside, from para- + graphein to write — more at carve
Date: 1525
1.
a. : a subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences, deals with one point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on a new usually indented line
b. : a short composition or note that is complete in one paragraph
2. : a character (as ¶) used to indicate the beginning of a paragraph and as a reference mark
• par·a·graph·ic ˌper-ə-ˈgra-fik, ˌpa-rə- adjective
II. verb
Date: 1764
transitive verb
1. : to write paragraphs about
2. : to divide into paragraphs
intransitive verb
: to write paragraphs