I. ˈper noun
( 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)
II. verb
Date: 1606
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make a pair of — often used with off or up
pair ed off the animals
b. : to cause to be a member of a pair
c. : 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
2.
a. : to become associated with another — often used with off or up
pair ed up with an old friend
b. : to become grouped or separated into pairs — often used with off
pair ed off for the next dance