PAIR
noun
Synonyms
Pair, Flight, Set. Originally, pair was not confined to two things, but was applied to any number of equal things (pares), that go together. Ben Jonson speaks of a pair (set) of chessmen; also, he and Lord Bacon speak of a pair (pack) of cards. A "pair of stairs" is still in popular use, as well as the later expression, "flight of stairs."
Definitions
- 1. 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.
- 2. Two things of a kind, similar in form, suited to each other, and intended to be used together; as, a pair of gloves or stockings; a pair of shoes.
- 3. Two of a sort; a span; a yoke; a couple; a brace; as, a pair of horses; a pair of oxen.
- 4. A married couple; a man and wife. "A happy pair." Dryden. "The hapless pair." Milton.
- 5. A single thing, composed of two pieces fitted to each other and used together; as, a pair of scissors; a pair of tongs; a pair of bellows.
- 6. Two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question, or on issues of a party nature during a specified time; as, there were two pairs on the final vote. [Parliamentary Cant]
- 7. In a mechanism, two elements, or bodies, which are so applied to each other as to mutually constrain relative motion.
Other Definitions
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Added: October 09, 2025
Updated: October 09, 2025