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par

[pahr]

Example Sentences Origin

noun

an equality in value or standing; a level of equality: The gains and the losses are on a par.

an average, usual, or normal amount, degree, quality, condition, standard, or the like: above par; to feel below par.

Golf. the number of strokes set as a standard for a specific hole or a complete course.

Finance.

the legally established value of the monetary unit of one country in terms of that of another using the same metal as a standard of value.

the state of the shares of any business, undertaking, loan, etc., when they may be purchased at the original price (issue par) or at their face value (nominal par).

at par, Finance. (of a share) purchasable at issue par or nominal par.

adjective

average or normal.

Finance. at or pertaining to par: the par value of a bond.

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Par is one of our favorite verbs.

So is fletcherise. Does it mean:

to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.

chat, to converse

LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

verb (used with object)

Golf. to equal par on (a hole or course).

Idiom

par for the course, exactly what one might expect; typical: They were late again, but that's par for the course.

Origin:
1615–25; < Latin pār equal

Example Sentences

Let's compare administrator salaries to that in the corporate world and see if they are on par.

But it's all par for the course in this brave new science world.

If it makes you feel any better, it is on par with the absurdities of other religions.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged

adjective Insurance.

of or pertaining to participating insurance.

Origin:
shortening of participating

variant of para-¹ before a vowel: parenchyma.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To par

Collins

World English Dictionary

par (pɑː)

—n
1.	an accepted level or standard, such as an average (esp in the phrase up to par)
2.	a state of equality (esp in the phrase on a par with)
3.	finance the established value of the unit of one national currency in terms of the unit of another where both are based on the same metal standard
4.	commerce
	a. See par value
	b. the condition of equality between the current market value of a share, bond, etc, and its face value (the nominal par). This equality is indicated by at par, while above (orbelow) par indicates that the market value is above (or below) face value
5.	golf an estimated standard score for a hole or course that a good player should make: par for the course was 72
6.	below par, under par not feeling or performing as well as normal
7.	par for the course an expected or normal occurrence or situation

—*adj*
8.	average or normal
9.	(usually prenominal) commerce of or relating to par: par value

[C17: from Latin pār equal, on a level; see peer¹]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

par

1622, "equality," also "value of one currency in terms of another," from L. par "equal, that which is equal, equality" (see pair). Meaning "average or usual amount" is first attested 1767. Golf usage is first attested 1898. Figurative use of par for the course is from 1947.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

par (pär)
n. pl. pa·ri·a (pä'rē-ə)
A pair; specifically, a pair of cranial nerves.

American Heritage

Abbreviations & Acronyms

PAR