(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ of things are two things of the same size and shape that are used together or are both part of something, for example shoes, earrings, or parts of the body.
...a ~ of socks.
...trainers that cost up to 90 pounds a ~...
72,000 ~s of hands clapped in unison to the song.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
2.
Some objects that have two main parts of the same size and shape are referred to as a ~, for example a ~ of trousers or a ~ of scissors.
...a ~ of faded jeans.
...a ~ of binoculars.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
3.
You can refer to two people as a ~ when they are standing or walking together or when they have some kind of relationship with each other.
A ~ of teenage boys were smoking cigarettes...
N-SING
4.
If one thing is ~ed with another, it is put with it or considered with it.
The trainees will then be ~ed with experienced managers.
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed with n
~ing
...the ~ing of these two fine musicians.
N-UNCOUNT: usu the N of n
5.
see also au ~
6.
If you say that someone is or has a safe ~ of hands, you mean that they are reliable and will not make any serious mistakes. (BRIT JOURNALISM)
He has now held five cabinet posts and remains a safe ~ of hands.
PHRASE: PHR after v