n. Two things of a kind, similar in form, identical in purpose, and matched or used together: as, a pair of gloves; a pair of shoes.n. A single thing composed essentially of two pieces or parts which are used only in combination and named only in the plural: as, a pair of scissors, trousers, or spectacles.n. A couple; a brace; a span: as, a pair of pistols; a pair of horses.n. Specificallyn. A married couple; in general, two mated animals of any kind.n. A set of like or equal things: restricted to a few (mostly obsolete) phrases: as, a pair (or pack) of cards; a pair (or flight) of stairs; a pair of organs (that is, a set of organ-pipes, hence an organ); a pair of gallows (that is, a gibbet); a pair of beads (see bead).n. In archery, a set of three arrows.n. In mining, a set or gang of men working together at the same hours.n. In deliberative bodies, two members belonging to opposing parties who for their own convenience (as to permit one or both of them to be absent) arrange with each other to refrain from voting for a specified time or on a specified question, thus nullifying a vote on each side; also, the arrangement thus effected. See pairing.n. In poker, two of the same denomination, without regard to suit or color: as, a pair of aces or deuces.n. See the adjectives.n. =Syn. 1-3. Pair, Couple, Yoke, Brace, Dyad, Duad. Pair and couple properly express two individuals or unities naturally or habitually going together or making a set: as, a pair of horses, gloves, oars; a wedded pair; a loving couple; but pair also means two things alike and put together, and couple has by colloquial use come to be often applied to two, however accidentally brought together: as, give him a couple of apples. Yoke, on the other hand, applies only to two animals customarily yoked together: as, a yoke of oxen. Brace is rather a hunters' term, with limited and peculiar application: as, a brace of partridges, pistols, slugs. Dyad is used in philosophical and mathematical language only. Duad is a special mathematical word signifying an unordered pair.To form a pair or pairs; specifically, to be joined in pairs as birds are in the breeding season; mate; couple.To suit; fit; match.To abstain from voting by arrangement with a member of the opposite party to do the same: said of members of deliberative assemblies. See pairing.To join in couples; specifically, to cause to mate: as, to pair a canary with a siskin.To unite or assort in twos as well suited to each other.To impair.To become impaired; deteriorate.n. In roulette, an even number.n. In mech., two parts or pieces, each of which acts against the other to hold it in position or to restrain its motion, as a bearing and journal, or a screw and nut.In cribbage, to match (the card last played by the adversary).