[pair] n, pl pairs or pair [ME paire, fr. OF, fr. L paria equal things, fr. neut. pl. of par equal] (14c) 1 a (1): two corresponding things designed for use together "a ~ of shoes" (2): two corresponding bodily parts or members "a ~ of hands" b: something made up of two corresponding pieces "a ~ 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 ~" (3): two playing cards of the same value or denomination and esp. 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 esp. of two players in a contest against another partnership 3 chiefly dial: a set or series of small objects (as beads)
[2]pair vt (1606) 1 a: to make a pair of--often used with off or up "~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 ~ vi 1: to constitute a member of a pair "a sock that didn't ~"
2. a: to become associated with another--often used with off or up "~ed up with an old friend" b: to become grouped or separated into pairs--often used with off "~ed off for the next dance"