pairs

pair

P0016500 (pâr)n. pl. pair or pairs 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. a. Two persons who are married, engaged, or dating.b. Two persons who have something in common and are considered together: a pair of hunters.c. Two mated animals.d. Two animals joined together in work.4. Games Two playing cards of the same denomination.5. 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.6. Chemistry An electron pair.v. paired, pair·ing, pairs v.tr.1. To arrange in sets of two; couple: The golfers are paired in twosomes for this round of play.2. To combine or join (one person or thing) with another to form a pair: a director pairing his favorite actor with an unknown; a salad that is paired with a fine dressing.v.intr.1. To form pairs or a pair: The people on the dance floor paired up.2. To join with another in love or mating.

[Middle English, from Old French paire, from Latin paria, equals, pl. of pār, a pair, from pār, equal; see perə- in Indo-European roots.]Usage Note: The noun pair can be followed by a singular or plural verb. The singular is always used when pair denotes the set taken as a single entity: This pair of shoes is on sale. A plural verb is used when the members are considered as individuals: The pair are working more harmoniously now. After a number other than one, pair itself can be either singular or plural, but the plural is now more common: I bought six pairs (or pair) of shoes.

pairs

(pɛəz) pl n (Card Games) another name for Pelmanism²

pairs

pair

pairs

PAIRS