Definition

1. Noun:
   • A distinctive flourish or additional stroke made after or under one's signature, originally used as a security measure to prevent forgery.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The notary required a paraph beneath the signature on the deed.
  • Historical documents often feature elaborate paraphs that are difficult to replicate.

Advanced Usage

• "To add a paraph": The act of appending this flourish to a signature.
  • The artist would always add a paraph to his autographs, making each one unique.
• Legal and Historical Context: The paraph served a practical purpose in authenticating documents before modern security features.
  • In medieval manuscripts, a scribe's paraph was a mark of authentication.

Variants and Related Words

• Paraphernalia (n): Although now meaning miscellaneous equipment, it historically referred to the personal property a bride could keep beyond her dowry, unrelated to the signature flourish.
• Flourish (n): A decorative or elegant stroke, especially in handwriting, which is a close synonym in this context.

Synonyms

• Flourish: An ornamental curve or stroke in writing.
• Embellishment: A decorative detail added to something, such as a signature.

Related Phrases

• "Under one's hand and seal": A formal phrase indicating a document is signed and authenticated, a context where a paraph might historically be used.

Noun

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