Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PAR'A-GRAPH, n. [It. paragrafo; Fr. paragraphe; Gr. παραγραφη, a marginal note; παραγραφω, to write near or beyond the text; παρα, beyond, and γραφω, to write.]

A distinct part of a discourse or writing; any portion or section of a writing or chapter which relates to a particular point, whether consisting of one sentence or many sentences. A paragraph is sometimes marked thus, ¶. But more generally, a paragraph is distinguished only by break in the composition or lines.