[par-uh-graf, -grahf] 
| 1. | a distinct portion of written or printed matter dealing with a particular idea, usually beginning with an indentation on a new line. |
| 2. | a paragraph mark. |
| 3. | a note, item, or brief article, as in a newspaper. |
| 4. | to divide into paragraphs. |
| 5. | to write or publish paragraphs about, as in a newspaper. |
| 6. | to express in a paragraph. |
| par·a·graph (pār'ə-grāf') n.
To divide or arrange into paragraphs. [Middle English paragraf, from Old French paragrafe, from Medieval Latin paragraphus, from Greek paragraphos, line showing a break in sense or a change of speakers in a dialogue, from paragraphein, to write beside : para-, beside; see para-1 + graphein, to write; see gerbh- in Indo-European roots.] par'a·graph'ic, par'a·graph'i·cal adj. |
A basic unit of prose. It is usually composed of several sentences that together develop one central idea. The main sentence in a paragraph is called the topic sentence.
əˌgræf