pair English · revision 3897

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1250|origins=la pār}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /peə/, US /per/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|peire]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|paire|t=pair, couple]] and directly [[der|la-med|paria|t=equals]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the neuter plural of [[la|pār|t=equal; a pair, counterpart]] (genitive paris),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) of unknown origin.^(Barnhart 1988) Merriam-Webster takes it as probably related to Greek pernanai “to sell”.^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[par]], [[peer]], [[parity]], [[compare]], [[disparage]], [[nonpareil]] and [[umpire]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A set of two, two of a kind coupled in use: about 1250 in Barnhart^(Barnhart 1988) and the mid-13th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and 1278 in the OED.^(OED 1989) It was first used of things.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A single article made of two parts, such as shears, tongs or spectacles, is from 1297 in the OED^(OED 1989) and the late 14th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and a set of beads from the 14th century and of stairs from the 16th.^(Hoad 1986) Of persons, a couple united by love or marriage, it is from 1377,^(OED 1989) or the late 14th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and a mated couple of animals from the 14th century.^(OED 1989) Partners in a dance are from 1770.^(OED 1989) The verb, “to be a match for” and “to arrange in pairs”, is from 1603 and 1607,^(Barnhart 1988) with ''pair off'' from 1783 and ''pair up'' from 1863.^(Etymonline) ''Pair bond'', of mating birds, is from 1940.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1250 – a set of two.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1297 – a two-part article.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1377 – a couple.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1603 – verb.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1770 – dance partners.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1783 – ''pair off''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1863 – ''pair up''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1940 – ''pair bond''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Two matching things used together: ''a pair of shoes''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A single object made of two joined parts: ''a pair of scissors''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Two people joined in [[marriage]] or partnership; a [[couple]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Two mated animals.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In card games, two cards of the same value.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To arrange in pairs.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To join in a pair; to [[mate]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To provide with a partner.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[pairwise]]

+ * [[pairing]]

+ * [[base pair]]

+ * [[electron pair]]

+ * [[minimal pair]]

+ * [[ordered pair]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[parity]]

+ * [[par]]

+ * [[peer]]

+ * [[compare]]

+ * [[disparage]]

+ * [[nonpareil]]

+ * [[umpire]]

+ * [[impair]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate, archaic ''pair'', “to impair”, is short for Middle English apeyren, from Old French empeirier.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989) In Scots and northern English dialect, ''pair'' meant “to impair, deteriorate”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}