Definition of: pair

(pâr) v.t.
1. To bring together or arrange in a pair or pairs; match; couple; mate.
—v.i.
2. To come together as a couple or pair.
3. To marry or mate.
—to pair off
1. To separate into couples.
2. To arrange by pairs.
—noun
1. In general, two persons or things of a kind, joined, related, correspondent, or associated; a couple; brace.
2. A single thing having two like or correspondent parts dependent on each other: a pair of scissors: in this sense, always linked with a singular verb when one object is counted.
3. A married couple; two animals mated.
4. In legislative bodies, two opposed members who agree to abstain from voting, and so offset each other.
5. A set of like or equal things making a whole: now restricted in use.
6. In some games of cards, two cards of the same denomination: a pair of queens.
7. Mech. A combination of two elements forming a unit in the mutual production or constraint of motion, as a piston and cylinder, a screw and nut, etc.
8. A racing shell for two oarsmen. ♦ Current usage calls for pair in the plural after a numeral of two or more, as, four pairs of shoes, though colloquially the singular is often used, as, four pair of shoes. ♦ Homophones: pare, pear. [<F paire <L paria, neut. plural of par equal]