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 partnership3chiefly dialect : a set or series of small objects (as beads)