paraph

American  

[par-uhf, puh-raf] / ˈpær əf, pəˈræf /

noun

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

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paraph British  

/ ˈpærəf /

noun

1. a flourish after a signature, originally to prevent forgery

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Etymology

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)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

paraph

His signature, in place of plain "Germain Lecour" now read: "LeCour de Répentigny," with the capital "C," or "Répentigny" alone, in a bold hand, with a paraph.

From The False Chevalier or, The Lifeguard of Marie Antoinette by W. D. (William Douw) Lighthall

"He has now added this crown and this paraph to his coat-of-arms," said Miss Holland.

From Henry VIII and His Court by Henry Niles Pierce

Paraph, par′af, n. a mark or flourish under one's signature.—v.t. to append a paraph to, to sign with initials.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

A capital P crossed with a line or paraph is another Faventine mark, and a somewhat similar monogram, with an S added to the upper part, is found in the wares of Cafaggiolo.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

It glideth to the headstone bare, And signs it with a paraph wild, And hangs a wreath of bones to glare Upon the charnel death-defiled.

From Enamels and Cameos and other Poems by Agnes Lee