pair

pair [per]

n.

pl. pairs or pair [ME paire < OFr < L paria, neut. pl. of par, equal: see PAR¹]

1. two similar or corresponding things joined, associated, or used together [a pair of gloves]

2. a single thing made up of two corresponding parts that are used together [a pair of pants]

3. two persons or animals; specif.,

a) a married, engaged, or courting couple

b) two mated animals

c) any two people considered as having something in common [a pair of thieves]

d) a brace; span [a pair of oxen]

e) two legislators on opposing sides of some question who agree to withhold their vote so as to offset each other; also, such an agreement

4. two playing cards of the same denomination

5. Chiefly Dial. a set or series [a pair of stairs, a pair of beads]

vt.

1. to make a pair of (two persons or things) by matching, joining, mating, etc.

2. to arrange in pairs

3. to provide with a partner: followed by with

vi.

1. to form a pair; match

2. to join in marriage; mate

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pair off

1. to join or arrange (two people or things) in a pair

2. to go apart or separate into pairs

SYN.- PAIR is used of two similar things that are associated together or are necessary in twos for proper use [a pair of socks ] or of a single thing made up of two corresponding parts [a pair of scissors ]; COUPLE applies to any two similar things that are somehow associated [a couple of dollars ], or it is used colloquially to mean several or a few [I must buy a couple of things ]; a BRACE¹ is a couple, especially of certain birds or animals [a brace of pheasants, hounds, etc. ]; YOKE applies to a pair of animals harnessed together for pulling [a yoke of oxen ]; SPAN¹ is used especially of a pair of horses harnessed together