pair
- pair
{{11}}pair (n.) mid-13c., "two of a kind, coupled in use," from O.Fr. paire, from L. paria "equals," neut. pl. of par (gen. paris) "a pair, counterpart, equal," noun use of par (adj.) "equal," of unknown origin, perhaps connected with *per-, PIE root meaning "to sell, buy" (on notion of "give equal value for"), which would connect it with L. pretium "price," Lith. perku "I buy," Gk. porne "prostitute," lit. "bought, purchased." Or from PIE *pere- "to grant, allot" (which would connect it with part and portion). Pair bond (v.) is first attested 1940, in reference to birds mating.
{{12}}pair (v.) "to mate," 1610s in Shakespeare ("Winter's Tale"), from PAIR (Cf. pair) (n.). Sense of "to make a pair by matching" is from 1610s; these often are distinguished now by pair off (c.1803) for the former and pair up (1908) for the latter. Related: Paired; pairing.
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pair — pair … Dictionnaire des rimes
pair — pair, aire (pêr, pê r ) adj. 1° Égal, semblable, pareil ; ne se dit plus, en ce sens, que dans la locution : sans pair. • Elles [deux chèvres] avaient la gloire De compter dans leur race, à ce que dit l histoire, L une certaine chèvre au… … Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré
Pair — (p[^a]r), n. [F. paire, LL. paria, L. paria, pl. of par pair, fr. par, adj., equal. Cf. {Apparel}, {Par} equality, {Peer} an equal.] [1913 Webster] 1. A number of things resembling one another, or belonging together; a set; as, a pair or flight… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
pair — 1. Used as a collective noun, pair is treated as a plural when it denotes two separate items and as a singular when it denotes a unit: so a pair of gloves, scissors, scales, shoes, trousers, etc. are singular whereas a pair of bachelors, dogs,… … Modern English usage
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… … English World dictionary
pair — [peə ǁ per] verb [transitive] 1. COMMERCE if two companies, people, or things are paired, they are put into groups of two because they are connected in some way or will work together: • When the new products were paired, encouraging customer… … Financial and business terms
pair up — ˌpair ˈup [intransitive/transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they pair up he/she/it pairs up present participle pairing up past tense … Useful english dictionary
pair — PAIR, pairi, s.m. Titlu purtat de marii vasali ai regelui în Franţa şi în Anglia în evul mediu. ♦ Membru (pe viaţă) al uneia dintre cele două camere legislative din Franţa între 1815 şi 1848. ♦ Titlu de nobleţe în Marea Britanie, care conferă… … Dicționar Român
Pair — Pair, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Paired}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pairing}.] 1. To be joined in pairs; to couple; to mate, as for breeding. [1913 Webster] 2. To suit; to fit, as a counterpart. [1913 Webster] My heart was made to fit and pair with thine. Rowe … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
pair — 〈[pɛ:r] Adj.; Roulett; bei Zahlen〉 gerade; Ggs impair [frz.] * * * pair [pɛ:ɐ̯ ] <Adj.> [frz. pair < afrz. per < lat. par, ↑ Paar]: (von den Zahlen beim Roulette) gerade. * * * pair [pɛː … Universal-Lexikon
Pair — 〈[ pɛ:r] m. 6; im alten Frankreich〉 Angehöriger des politisch bevorzugten Hochadels [frz. <lat. paria „Gleiches“] * * * pair [pɛ:ɐ̯ ] <Adj.> [frz. pair < afrz. per < lat. par, ↑ Paar]: (von den Zahlen beim Roulette) gerade. * * *… … Universal-Lexikon
