paraph

/'pærəf/

Friendly

Word: Paraph

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A "paraph" is a flourish or a small decorative mark that someone writes after or under their signature. It is often used to add a personal touch and can help prevent forgery, making it harder for someone to copy a signature.

Usage Instructions:

• You typically use a paraph when signing important documents. It can be as simple as a swirl or a unique shape that you create after your name.
• It is mainly used in formal or legal contexts.

Example Sentence:

• "Before submitting his contract, John added a paraph under his signature to ensure that it was uniquely his."

Advanced Usage:

In legal settings, a paraph can serve as an extra layer of authentication, indicating that the person signing the document has personally reviewed it.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "paraph," but you might encounter related terms like "signature" or "autograph," which refer to the act of signing one's name.

Different Meanings:

• While the primary meaning of "paraph" is related to signatures, in some contexts, it can refer to a short summary or an introductory remark that precedes a more detailed explanation (though this usage is less common).

Synonyms:

• Flourish
• Initials (when used to signify a section of a document)
• Sign-off (though this is broader and can refer to the act of approval rather than just a signature additive)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t any specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "paraph," but you might hear expressions like "put your mark on something," which means to make a personal contribution, similar to how a paraph personalizes a signature.

Academic

Noun

1. a flourish added after or under your signature (originally to protect against forgery)