Pair | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Pāir, n.

noun

(4), n. [Fr. paire, Sp. par, pareja, It. paro, pajo, Lat. par, from par, a., equal, Ger. & D. paar.]

Two things of a kind, which are also similar in form, applied to the same purpose, and suited to each other or used together; a couple; a brace; as, a pair of gloves or stockings; a pair of shoes; a pair of oxen or horses.
A number of things resembling one another, or belonging together; a set; a pack. [Obs. or rare.] “Two crowns in my pocket, two pair of cards.” Beau. & Fl.

Go get a pair of beads, and learn to pray, sir. Beau. & Fl. Syn. — PAIR, FLIGHT, SET. Originally, pair was not confined to two things, but was applied to any number of pares, or equal things, that go together. Ben Jonson speaks of a pair (set) of chess-men; also, he and Lord Bacon speak of a pair (pack) of cards. A “pair of stairs” was, in like manner, the original expression, as given by the earlier lexicographers, by Howell, &c., and is still in popular use, though flight was also introduced at a later period.

Pāir, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. PAIRED; p. pr. & vb. n. PAIRING.] 1. To be joined in pairs; to couple; as, birds pair in summer. 2. To suit; to fit, as a counterpart.

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

Pāir, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To unite in couples; to form a pair of; to bring together, as things which belong together, which complement one another, and the like; as, minds paired in heaven. Dryden.

Glossy jet is paired with shining white. Pope.

To pair off, to go off in a pair or in pairs; hence, to make an arrangement with one of an opposite opinion by which votes, &c., of both are withheld.

Pāir, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To impair. [Obs.] Spenser.