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pair
1[ pair ]
noun
- two identical, similar, or corresponding things that are matched for use together:
a pair of gloves;
a pair of earrings.
- something consisting of or regarded as having two parts or pieces joined together:
a pair of scissors;
a pair of slacks.
- two individuals who are similar or in some way associated:
a pair of liars;
a pair of seal pups.
- a married, engaged, or dating couple.
- two mated animals.
- a span or team:
a pair of horses.
- Government.
- two members on opposite sides in a deliberative body who for convenience, as to permit absence, arrange together to forgo voting on a given occasion.
- the arrangement thus made.
- Cards.
- two playing cards of the same denomination without regard to suit or color.
- pairs, two card players who are matched together against different contestants.
- pairs, pair skating.
- Also called kinematic pair. Mechanics. two parts or pieces so connected that they mutually constrain relative motion.
- Philately. two postage stamps joined together either vertically or horizontally.
- a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole:
a pair of beads.
verb (used with object)
- to arrange or designate in pairs or groups of two:
She paired dancers for the waltz contest.
- to form into a pair, as by matching, joining, etc.; match; couple:
to pair freshly washed socks.
- (of animals) to cause to mate.
verb (used without object)
- to separate into pairs or groups of two (usually followed by off ):
to pair off for a procession.
- to form a pair or pairs.
- to be a member of a pair.
- to match with or resemble another.
- to unite in close association with another, as in a business partnership, friendship, marriage, etc.
- (of animals) to mate.
- Government. (in a deliberative body) to form or arrange a pair.
pair
2[ per ]
adjective
- French. noting any even number, especially in roulette. Compare impair.
pair
1/ per /
pair
2/ pɛə /
noun
- two identical or similar things matched for use together
a pair of socks
- two persons, animals, things, etc, used or grouped together
a pair of scoundrels
a pair of horses
- an object considered to be two identical or similar things joined together
a pair of trousers
- two people joined in love or marriage
- a male and a female animal of the same species, esp such animals kept for breeding purposes
- parliamentary procedure
- two opposed members who both agree not to vote on a specified motion or for a specific period of time
- the agreement so made
- two playing cards of the same rank or denomination
a pair of threes
- one member of a matching pair
I can't find the pair to this glove
- cricket a pair of spectacles (the cricketing term) See spectacles
- rowing See pair-oar
- dialect.a group or set of more than two
- logic maths
- a set with two members
- an ordered set with two members
verb
- often foll by off to arrange or fall into groups of twos
- to group or be grouped in matching pairs
to pair socks
- to join or be joined in marriage; mate or couple
- when tr, usually passive parliamentary procedure to form or cause to form a pair
18 members were paired for the last vote
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Usage
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Grammar Note
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Other Words From
- pairwise adverb
- un·paired adjective
- well-paired adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of pair1
Origin of pair2
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Word History and Origins
Origin of pair1
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Idioms and Phrases
- grow a pair, Slang: Vulgar. to act in a stereotypically manly way, as by being brave:
Stop the whining and grow a pair!
More idioms and phrases containing pair
In addition to the idiom beginning with pair , also see show one's (a clean pair of) heels .Discover More
Synonym Study
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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