Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
par·a·graph \\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 paragraph2. 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-\\
adjectiveverb DATE 1764
transitive verb1. to write paragraphs about2. to divide into paragraphsintransitive verb: to write paragraphs
paragraph
1490, from M.Fr. paragraphe (13c., O.Fr. paragrafe), from M.L. paragraphus "sign for start of a new section of discourse" (the sign looked something like a stylized letter -P-), from Gk. paragraphos "short stroke in the margin marking a break in sense," also "a passage so marked," lit. "anything written beside," from paragraphein "write by the side," from para- "beside" + graphein "to write."
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
paragraph
para·graph / 5pArE^rB:f; NAmE -^rAf / noun (abbr. par., para.)
a section of a piece of writing, usually consisting of several sentences dealing with a single subject. The first sentence of a paragraph starts on a new line.
段；段落:
an opening / introductory paragraph
开头的/导引的一段
Write a paragraph on each of the topics given below.
就下面所列主题各写一个段落。
See paragraph 15 of the handbook.
参见手册第 15 段。
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English
Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishparagraph
noun
ADJ. new | introductory, opening
VERB + PARAGRAPH begin, start Start each paragraph on a new line.
PREP. in a/the ~ The identity of the murderer is revealed in the very last paragraph. | in accordance with/under ~ (law) Cancellation charges will apply in accordance with paragraph 4 above. | ~ about a paragraph about the writer's reaction to his mother's death
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
Search result show the entry is found in:
block paragraph
par·a·graphI. \ˈparəˌgraf, -graa(ə)f, -graif, -grȧf
also ˈper-\
nounEtymology: 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 verb1. : 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