GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 4 definitions 

  1.       

    Pair , n. [F. paire, LL. paria, L. paria, pl. of par pair, fr. par, adj., equal. Cf. Apparel, Par equality, Peer an equal.]
    1913 Webster
    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. [Now mostly or quite disused.]
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      Two crowns in my pocket, two pair of cards.
      Beau. & Fl.

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    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.
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    3. Two of a sort; a span; a yoke; a couple; a brace; as, a pair of horses; a pair of oxen.
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    4. A married couple; a man and wife. “A happy pair.” Dryden. “The hapless pair.” Milton.
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    5. A single thing, composed of two pieces fitted to each other and used together; as, a pair of scissors; a pair of pants; a pair of tongs; a pair of bellows.
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    6. Two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question (in order, for example, to allow the members to be absent during the vote without affecting the outcome of the vote), or on issues of a party nature during a specified time; as, there were two pairs on the final vote. [Parliamentary Cant] A member who is thus paired with one who would have voted oppositely is said to be paired for or paired against a measure, depending on the member's position.
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      +PJC
    7. (Kinematics) In a mechanism, two elements, or bodies, which are so applied to each other as to mutually constrain relative motion.
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      ☞ 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.
      1913 Webster
      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.]
      1913 Webster
      Syn. -- Pair, Flight, Set.  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.”
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  2.       

    Pair, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Paired ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pairing.]
    1. To be joined in pairs; to couple; to mate, as for breeding.
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    2. To suit; to fit, as a counterpart.
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      My heart was made to fit and pair with thine.
      Rowe.

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    3. Same as To pair off. See phrase below.
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      To pair off, to separate from a group 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.
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  3.       

    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.
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      Glossy jet is paired with shining white.
      Pope.

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    2. To engage (one's self) with another of opposite opinions not to vote on a particular question or class of questions. [Parliamentary Cant]
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      Paired fins. (Zool.) See under Fin.
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  4.       

    Pair, v. t. [See Impair.] To impair. [Obs.]
    Spenser.

    1913 Webster

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