Main Entry: ¹pair

Pronunciation: \ˈper\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural pairs or pair

Etymology: Middle English paire, from Anglo-French, from Latin paria equal things, from neuter plural of par equal

Date: 14th century

1 a (1) : two corresponding things designed for use together <a pair of shoes> (2) : two corresponding bodily parts or members <a pair of hands> b : something made up of two corresponding pieces <a pair of trousers>
2 a : two similar or associated things: as (1) : two mated animals (2) : a couple in love, engaged, or married <were a devoted pair> (3) : two playing cards of the same value or denomination and especially of the same rank (4) : two horses harnessed side by side (5) : two members of a deliberative body that agree not to vote on a specific issue during a time agreed on; also : an agreement not to vote made by the two members b : a partnership especially of two players in a contest against another partnership
3 chiefly dialect : a set or series of small objects (as beads)