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Definition of pair - 9 dictionary results
pair
[pair] 
noun, plural pairs, pair, verb –noun
| 1. | two identical, similar, or corresponding things that are matched for use together: a pair of gloves; a pair of earrings. |
| 2. | something consisting of or regarded as having two parts or pieces joined together: a pair of scissors; a pair of slacks. |
| 3. | two individuals who are similar or in some way associated: a pair of liars; a pair of seal pups. |
| 4. | a married, engaged, or dating couple. |
| 5. | two mated animals. |
| 6. | a span or team: a pair of horses. |
| 7. | Government.
|
| 8. | Cards.
|
| 9. | pairs. pair skating. |
| 10. | Also called kinematic pair. Mechanics. two parts or pieces so connected that they mutually constrain relative motion. |
| 11. | Philately. two postage stamps joined together either vertically or horizontally. |
| 12. | a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole: a pair of beads. |
–verb (used with object)
| 13. | to arrange or designate in pairs or groups of two: She paired dancers for the waltz contest. |
| 14. | to form into a pair, as by matching, joining, etc.; match; couple: to pair freshly washed socks. |
| 15. | (of animals) to cause to mate. |
–verb (used without object)
| 16. | to separate into pairs or groups of two (usu. fol. by off ): to pair off for a procession. |
| 17. | to form a pair or pairs. |
| 18. | to be a member of a pair. |
| 19. | to match with or resemble another. |
| 20. | to unite in close association with another, as in a business partnership, friendship, marriage, etc. |
| 21. | (of animals) to mate. |
| 22. | Government. (in a deliberative body) to form or arrange a pair. |
Related forms:
pairwise, adverb
Synonyms:
1. Pair, brace, couple, span, yoke are terms for groups of two. Pair is used of two things naturally or habitually associated in use, or necessary to each other to make a complete set: a pair of dice. It is used also of one thing composed of two similar and complementary parts: a pair of trousers. Brace is a hunter's term, used of a pair of dogs, ducks, etc., or a pair of pistols or slugs: a brace of partridges. In couple the idea of combination or interdependence has become greatly weakened; it may be used loosely for two of anything (a couple of apples), and even for more than two: I have to see a couple of people. Span is used of a matched pair of horses harnessed together side by side. Yoke applies to the two animals hitched together under a yoke for drawing and pulling: a yoke of oxen.
1. Pair, brace, couple, span, yoke are terms for groups of two. Pair is used of two things naturally or habitually associated in use, or necessary to each other to make a complete set: a pair of dice. It is used also of one thing composed of two similar and complementary parts: a pair of trousers. Brace is a hunter's term, used of a pair of dogs, ducks, etc., or a pair of pistols or slugs: a brace of partridges. In couple the idea of combination or interdependence has become greatly weakened; it may be used loosely for two of anything (a couple of apples), and even for more than two: I have to see a couple of people. Span is used of a matched pair of horses harnessed together side by side. Yoke applies to the two animals hitched together under a yoke for drawing and pulling: a yoke of oxen.
Usage note:
When used without a modifier, pairs is the only possible plural: Pairs of skaters glided over the ice. When modified by a number, pairs is the more common form, especially referring to persons: Six pairs of masked dancers led the procession. The unmarked plural pair is used mainly in reference to inanimate objects or nonhumans: He has three pair (or pairs) of loafers. Two pair (or pairs) of barn owls have nested on our property.
Pair signifying two individuals can take either a singular or plural verb, but it is usually followed by a plural verb and referred to by a plural pronoun: The guilty pair have not been seen since their escape.
In the sense “a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole,” pair occurs chiefly in fixed phrases: a pair of beads; a pair of stairs. This use is now somewhat old-fashioned. See also collective noun, couple.
When used without a modifier, pairs is the only possible plural: Pairs of skaters glided over the ice. When modified by a number, pairs is the more common form, especially referring to persons: Six pairs of masked dancers led the procession. The unmarked plural pair is used mainly in reference to inanimate objects or nonhumans: He has three pair (or pairs) of loafers. Two pair (or pairs) of barn owls have nested on our property.
Pair signifying two individuals can take either a singular or plural verb, but it is usually followed by a plural verb and referred to by a plural pronoun: The guilty pair have not been seen since their escape.
In the sense “a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole,” pair occurs chiefly in fixed phrases: a pair of beads; a pair of stairs. This use is now somewhat old-fashioned. See also collective noun, couple.
pair
[per] –adjective
| French. noting any even number, esp. in roulette. Compare impair. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To pair
| pair (pâr) n. pl. pair or pairs
v. tr.
[Middle English, from Old French paire, from Latin paria, equals, pl. of pār, a pair, from pār, equal; see perə-2 in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: The noun pair can be followed by a singular or plural verb. The singular is always used when pair denotes the set taken as a single entity: This pair of shoes is on sale. A plural verb is used when the members are considered as individuals: The pair are working more harmoniously now. After a number other than one, pair itself can be either singular or plural, but the plural is now more common: She bought six pairs (or pair) of stockings. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Pair
Pair\, n. [F. paire, LL. paria, L. paria, pl. of par pair, fr. par, adj., equal. Cf. Apparel, Par equality, Peer an equal.]1. A number of things resembling one another, or belonging together; a set; as, a pair or flight of stairs. "A pair of beads." --Chaucer. --Beau. & Fl. "Four pair of stairs." --Macaulay. Note: [Now mostly or quite disused, except as to stairs.] Two crowns in my pocket, two pair of cards. --Beau. & Fl. 2. Two things of a kind, similar in form, suited to each other, and intended to be used together; as, a pair of gloves or stockings; a pair of shoes. 3. Two of a sort; a span; a yoke; a couple; a brace; as, a pair of horses; a pair of oxen. 4. A married couple; a man and wife. "A happy pair." --Dryden. "The hapless pair." --Milton. 5. A single thing, composed of two pieces fitted to each other and used together; as, a pair of scissors; a pair of tongs; a pair of bellows. 6. Two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question, or on issues of a party nature during a specified time; as, there were two pairs on the final vote. [Parliamentary Cant] 7. (Kinematics) In a mechanism, two elements, or bodies, which are so applied to each other as to mutually constrain relative motion. Note: Pairs are named in accordance with the kind of motion they permit; thus, a journal and its bearing form a turning pair, a cylinder and its piston a sliding pair, a screw and its nut a twisting pair, etc. Any pair in which the constraining contact is along lines or at points only (as a cam and roller acting together), is designated a higher pair; any pair having constraining surfaces which fit each other (as a cylindrical pin and eye, a screw and its nut, etc.), is called a lower pair. Pair royal (pl. Pairs Royal) three things of a sort; -- used especially of playing cards in some games, as cribbage; as three kings, three "eight spots" etc. Four of a kind are called a double pair royal. "Something in his face gave me as much pleasure as a pair royal of naturals in my own hand." --Goldsmith. "That great pair royal of adamantine sisters [the Fates]." --Quarles. [Written corruptly parial and prial.] Syn: Pair, Flight, Set. Usage: Originally, pair was not confined to two things, but was applied to any number of equal things (pares), that go together. Ben Jonson speaks of a pair (set) of chessmen; also, he and Lord Bacon speak of a pair (pack) of cards. A "pair of stairs" is still in popular use, as well as the later expression, "flight of stairs."Pair
Pair\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Paired; p. pr. & vb. n. Pairing.]1. To be joined in paris; to couple; to mate, as for breeding. 2. To suit; to fit, as a counterpart. My heart was made to fit and pair with thine. --Rowe. 3. Same as To pair off. See phrase below. To pair off, to separate from a company in pairs or couples; specif. (Parliamentary Cant), to agree with one of the opposite party or opinion to abstain from voting on specified questions or issues. See Pair, n., 6.Pair
Pair\, v. t. 1. To unite in couples; to form a pair of; to bring together, as things which belong together, or which complement, or are adapted to one another. Glossy jet is paired with shining white. --Pope. 2. To engage (one's self) with another of opposite opinions not to vote on a particular question or class of questions. [Parliamentary Cant] Paired fins. (Zo["o]l.) See under Fin.Pair
Pair\, v. t. [See Impair.] To impair. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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pair (n.)
c.1290, "two of a kind, coupled in use," from O.Fr. paire, from L. paria "equals," neut. pl. of par (gen. paris) "a pair, counterpart, equal," noun use of par (adj.) "equal," of unknown origin, perhaps connected with *per-, PIE root meaning "to sell, buy" (on notion of "give equal value for"), which would connect it with L. pretium "price," Lith. perku "I buy," Gk. porne "prostitute," lit. "bought, purchased." Or from PIE *pere- "to grant, allot" (which would connect it with part and portion). The verb, "to mate" is first attested 1611 in Shakespeare ("Winter's Tale"); sense of "to make a pair by matching" is from 1613; these often are distinguished now by pair off (c.1803) for the former and pair up (1908) for the latter. Pair bond (v.) is first attested 1940, in ref. to birds mating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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pair
In addition to the idiom beginning with pair, also see show one's (a clean pair of) heels.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
