1
Stage 1 of 4
paragraphos
Greek · ancient
"a mark beside text"
a mark written beside text to indicate a break, from para- (beside) and graphein (to write)
2
Stage 2 of 4
paragraphus
Latin · ancient
"a marginal mark"
carried into Latin for the same marginal mark
3
Stage 3 of 4
paragraphe
Old French · medieval
"a marked section of text"
carried into French for a marked section of text
4
Stage 4 of 4
paragraph
English · 1500s
"a distinct section of writing"
settled as the English word for a distinct section of writing
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