paraph

noun

pa·​raph ˈper-əf 

ˈpa-rəf,

pə-ˈraf 

: a flourish at the end of a signature

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, modification of Latin paragraphus paragraph

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

paraph

1 of 2 noun

par·​aph ˈpar-əf, pə-ˈraf 

in the civil law of Louisiana : the signature of a notary public on a document accompanied by a date, identification of parties, seal, or other required elements

paraph

2 of 2 transitive verb

in the civil law of Louisiana : to affix a paraph to

paraphed the mortgage

also : to include (as particular words) in a paraph