Par"aph (?), n. [F. paraphe, parafe, contr. fr. paragraphe.]
A flourish made with the pen at the end of a signature. In the Middle Ages, this formed a sort of rude safeguard against forgery.
Brande & C.
© Webster 1913.
Par"aph, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paraphed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paraphing.] [Cf. F. parapher, parafer.]
To add a paraph to; to sign, esp. with the initials.
© Webster 1913.