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

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

"Yes, he bears the royal arms on his shield, but yet, if we remember rightly, the crown and paraph of our ancestor Edward the Third are wanting."

From Henry VIII and His Court by Pierce, Henry Niles

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 Lee, Agnes

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

From Henry VIII and His Court by Pierce, Henry Niles