Definition: pair

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

pair
     n 1: a set of two similar things considered as a unit [syn: brace]
     2: two items of the same kind [syn: couple, doubleton, twosome,
         twain, brace, span, yoke, couplet, distich, duo,
         duet, dyad, duad]
     3: two people considered as a unit
     4: a poker hand with 2 cards of the same value
     v 1: form a pair or pairs; "The two old friends paired off" [syn:
           pair off, partner off, couple]
     2: bring two objects, ideas, or people together; "This fact is
        coupled to the other one"; "Matchmaker, can you match my
        daughter with a nice young man?"; "The student was paired
        with a partner for collaboration on the project" [syn: match,
         mate, couple, twin]
     3: make love; "Birds mate in the Spring" [syn: copulate, mate,
         couple]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Thermoelectric couple \Ther`mo*e*lec"tric couple\ or pair \pair\
   (Elec.)
   A union of two conductors, as bars or wires of dissimilar
   metals joined at their extremities, for producing a
   thermoelectric current.
Pair \Pair\, v. t.
   1. To unite in couples; to form a pair of; to bring together,
      as things which belong together, or which complement, or
      are adapted to one another.

            Glossy jet is paired with shining white. --Pope.

   2. To engage (one's self) with another of opposite opinions
      not to vote on a particular question or class of
      questions. [Parliamentary Cant]

   Paired fins. (Zo["o]l.) See under Fin.
Pair \Pair\, v. t. [See Impair.]
   To impair. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Pair \Pair\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Paired; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Pairing.]
   1. To be joined in paris; to couple; to mate, as for
      breeding.

   2. To suit; to fit, as a counterpart.

            My heart was made to fit and pair with thine.
                                                  --Rowe.

   3. Same as To pair off. See phrase below.

   To pair off, to separate from a company in pairs or
      couples; specif. (Parliamentary Cant), to agree with one
      of the opposite party or opinion to abstain from voting on
      specified questions or issues. See Pair, n., 6.
Pair \Pair\, n. [F. paire, LL. paria, L. paria, pl. of par pair,
   fr. par, adj., equal. Cf. Apparel, Par equality, Peer
   an equal.]
   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.

   Note: [Now mostly or quite disused, except as to stairs.]

               Two crowns in my pocket, two pair of cards.
                                                  --Beau. & Fl.

   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. (Kinematics) In a mechanism, two elements, or bodies,
      which are so applied to each other as to mutually
      constrain relative motion.

   Note: Pairs are named in accordance with the kind of motion
         they permit; thus, a journal and its bearing form a
         turning pair, a cylinder and its piston a sliding pair,
         a screw and its nut a twisting pair, etc. Any pair in
         which the constraining contact is along lines or at
         points only (as a cam and roller acting together), is
         designated a higher pair; any pair having constraining
         surfaces which fit each other (as a cylindrical pin and
         eye, a screw and its nut, etc.), is called a lower
         pair.

   Pair royal (pl. Pairs Royal) three things of a sort; --
      used especially of playing cards in some games, as
      cribbage; as three kings, three ``eight spots'' etc. Four
      of a kind are called a double pair royal. ``Something in
      his face gave me as much pleasure as a pair royal of
      naturals in my own hand.'' --Goldsmith. ``That great pair
      royal of adamantine sisters [the Fates].'' --Quarles.
      [Written corruptly parial and prial.]

   Syn: Pair, Flight, Set.

   Usage: 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.''