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pair |
6 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Pair \Pair\, v. t. [See {Impair}.] To impair. [Obs.] --Spenser. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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.'' From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: 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" [syn: {match}, {mate}, {couple}, {twin}] 3: make love; "Birds mate in the Spring" [syn: {copulate}, {mate}, {couple}]
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