Pair

English Meaning

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, except as to stairs.]

1. Two corresponding persons or items, similar in form or function and matched or associated: a pair of shoes.
2. One object composed of two joined, similar parts that are dependent upon each other: a pair of pliers.
3. Two persons who are married, engaged, or dating.
4. Two persons who have something in common and are considered together: a pair of hunters.
5. Two mated animals.
6. Two animals joined together in work.
7. Games Two playing cards of the same denomination.
8. Two members of a deliberative body with opposing opinions on a given issue who agree to abstain from voting on the issue, thereby offsetting each other.
9. Chemistry An electron pair.
10. To arrange in sets of two; couple.
11. To join in a pair; mate.
12. To provide a partner for.
13. To form pairs or a pair.
14. To join in marriage; mate.