paraph

[ par-uhf, puh-raf ]

/ ˈpær əf, pəˈræf /

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noun

a flourish made after a signature, as in a document, originally as a precaution against forgery.

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Origin of paraph

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English paraf, paraffe, from Middle French paraphe, paraffe “abbreviated signature; paragraph mark,” by syncope of paragraphe “section of text; paragraph sign”; see origin at paragraph)

Words nearby paraph

paranymph, parapara, paraparesis, parapente, parapet, paraph, paraphase amplifier, paraphasia, paraphernalia, paraphilia, paraphimosis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use paraph in a sentence

Paraph, par′af, n. a mark or flourish under one's signature.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
"He has now added this crown and this paraph to his coat-of-arms," said Miss Holland.
Henry VIII And His Court|Louise Muhlbach

British Dictionary definitions for paraph

paraph

/ (ˈpærəf) /

noun

a flourish after a signature, originally to prevent forgery

Word Origin for paraph

C14: via French from Medieval Latin paraphus, variant of paragraphus paragraph

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012