pair

play

noun \ˈper\

Definition of pair

plural

1a (1) : two corresponding things designed for use together a pair of shoes (2) : two corresponding bodily parts or members a pair of handsb : something made up of two corresponding pieces a pair of trousers
2a : two similar or associated things: such 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 membersb : a partnership especially of two players in a contest against another partnership
3 chiefly dialectal : a set or series of small objects (such as beads)

He blushed when he saw all three pairs of eyes watching him.
She won with a pair of aces.
I got my first pair of glasses when I was eight.
His two closest friends lived in the city and the pair of them visited him often.
The dance is usually performed by a male and female pair.
Those two kids make quite a pair.

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

verb

transitive verb
1a : to make a pair of —often used with off or up paired off the animalsb : to cause to be a member of a pairc : to arrange a voting pair between
2 : to arrange in pairs
intransitive verb
1 : to constitute a member of a pair a sock that didn't pair
2a : to become associated with another —often used with off or up paired up with an old friendb : to become grouped or separated into pairs —often used with off paired off for the next dance

1606

play

noun

verb

play

noun \ˈper\

plural

1 : two things that match or are meant to be used together a pair of gloves a pair of draft horses
2 : a thing having two similar parts that are connected a pair of scissors
3 : two people who are connected in some way or do something together Those two are quite a pair.