| Title | pair | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Text |
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary pair
\\ˈper\\ noun (plural pairs or pair) ETYMOLOGY Middle English paire, from Anglo-French, from Latin paria equal things, from neuter plural of par equal DATE 14th century 1. a. (1) two corresponding things designed for use together a pair of shoes (2) two corresponding bodily parts or members a pair of hands b. something made up of two corresponding pieces a pair of trousers 2. a. two similar or associated things: as (1) two mated animals (2) a couple in love, engaged, or married were a devoted pair (3) two playing cards of the same value or denomination and especially of the same rank (4) two horses harnessed side by side (5) two members of a deliberative body that agree not to vote on a specific issue during a time agreed on; also : an agreement not to vote made by the two members b. a partnership especially of two players in a contest against another partnership 3. chiefly dialect : a set or series of small objects (as beads)
verb DATE 1606 transitive verb 1. a. to make a pair of — often used with off or up paired off the animals b. to cause to be a member of a pair c. to arrange a voting pair between 2. to arrange in pairs intransitive verb 1. to constitute a member of a pair a sock that didn't pair 2. a. to become associated with another — often used with off or up paired up with an old friend b. to become grouped or separated into pairs — often used with off paired off for the next dance English Etymology pair pair (n.) late 13c., "two of a kind, coupled in use," from O.Fr .paire, from L. paria "equals," neut. pl. of par (gen. paris) "a pair, counterpart, equal," noun use of par (adj.) "equal," of unknown origin, perhaps connected with *per-, PIE root meaning "to sell, buy" (on notion of "give equal value for"), which would connect it with L. pretium "price," Lith. perku "I buy," Gk. porne "prostitute," lit. "bought, purchased." Or from PIE *pere- "to grant, allot" (which would connect it with part and portion). The verb, "to mate" is first attested 1611 in Shakespeare ("Winter's Tale"); sense of "to make a pair by matching" is from 1613; these often are distinguished now by pair off (c.1803) for the former and pair up (1908) for the latter. Pair bond (v.) is first attested 1940, in ref. to birds mating.http://O.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ pair pair / peE(r); NAmE per / nounTWO THINGS THE SAME 相同的两样东西 1. [C] two things of the same type, especially when they are used or worn together 一双；一对: a pair of gloves / shoes / earrings, etc. 一副手套、一双鞋、一对耳环等 a huge pair of eyes 一双大眼睛 The vase is one of a matching pair. 这只花瓶是一对中的一只。 TWO PARTS JOINED 连接的两部份 2. [C] an object consisting of two parts that are joined together 分两个相连接部份的物体: a pair of trousers / pants / jeans, etc. 一条长裤、裤子、牛仔裤等 a pair of glasses / binoculars / scissors, etc. 一副眼镜、一架双筒望远镜、一把剪刀等 HELP A plural verb is sometimes used with pair in the singular in senses 1 and 2. In informal NAmE some people use pair as a plural form: three pair of shoes. This is not considered correct in written English. 在第 1 及第 2 义中,pair 有时以单数形式与复数动词搭配。在非正式的北美英语中,有些人把 pair 作为复数:three pair of shoes ；在书面英语中,这种用法被认为不正确。 TWO PEOPLE 两个人 3. [C + sing. / pl. v.] two people who are doing sth together or who have a particular relationship 两个共事(或有特殊关系)的人；俩；对: Get pairs of students to act out the dialogue in front of the class. 叫学生两人一组在课堂上演出这个对话。 Get the students to do the exercise as pair work (= two students work together). 让学生两人一组做练习。 (informal) I've had enough of the pair of you! 你们俩让我烦透了！ HELP In BrE a plural verb is usually used: A pair of children were kicking a ball about. The pair are planning a trip to India together. 在英国英语中常用复数动词:A pair of children were kicking a ball about. / The pair are planning a trip to India together. TWO ANIMALS / BIRDS 两个动物；两只鸟 4. [C + sing. / pl. v.] two animals or birds of the same type that are breeding together (同时驯养的)两个同类的鸟(或兽)；一对: a breeding pair 用于繁殖的一对 a pair of swans 一对天鹅 TWO HORSES 两匹马 5. [C] two horses working together to pull a carriage 一起拉车的两匹马: a carriage and pair 双驾马车 ⇨ see also au pair IDIOMS ▪ a pair of 'hands (informal) a person who can do, or is doing, a job 一个能做事的人；人手；正在工作的人: We need an extra pair of hands if we're going to finish on time. 要想按时完成任务,我们就要再增加一个人。 Colleagues regard him as a safe pair of hands (= sb who can be relied on to do a job well). 同事认为他办事可靠。 ▪ in 'pairs in groups of two objects or people 成对的；成双的: Students worked in pairs on the project. 学生两人一组做这个项目。 ▪ I've only got one pair of 'hands (informal) used to say that you are too busy to do anything else 我只有一双手verbMAKE GROUPS OF TWO 配对 1. [VN] [usually passive] ~ A with B | ~ A and B (together) to put people or things into groups of two 使成对；配对: Each blind student was paired with a sighted student. 每个盲人学员都配了一个有视力的学员。 All the shoes on the floor were neatly paired. 地板上的鞋子都整齐成双地摆着。 OF ANIMALS / BIRDS 兽；鸟 2. [V] (technical 术语) to come together in order to breed 配对(以繁殖)；交配: Many of the species pair for life. 许多物种都终生配对。 PHRASAL VERBS ▪ 7pair 'off (with sb) | 7pair sb ↔ 'off (with sb) to come together, especially in order to have a romantic relationship; to bring two people together for this purpose (使)结对,配对: It seemed that all her friends were pairing off. 好像她的朋友全都成双结对了。 He's always trying to pair me off with his cousin. 他总想把我和他表弟配成一对。 ▪ 7pair 'up (with sb) | 7pair sb ↔ 'up (with sb) to come together or to bring two people together to work, play a game, etc. (使两人)结组工作(或游戏等) Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English pair noun 1 two things the same ADJ. matching a matching pair of vases | identical PREP. in a/the ~ Answer one question in each pair. | in ~s These candlesticks only come in pairs. | ~ of a pair of shoes PHRASES one of a pair one of a pair of crystal vases 2 people who are connected ADJ. inseparable | good | happy (= a newly married couple) | odd They make an odd pair. VERB + PAIR match The pair were matched for age. | make I thought they would make a good pair so I arranged for them to meet. PREP. in a/the ~ The students worked in pairs. 3 male and female animal ADJ. breeding PAIR + VERB breed, mate PREP. ~ of a pair of swans nesting by the river Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged Search result show the entry is found in: astatic pair , or minimal pair , or pair-horse , or pair-oar , or pair-oared , or pair of colors , or pair of spectacles , or pair production , or pair royal , or pit-pair , or post and pair , or short pair , or stereoscopic pair , or twisted pair , or two pair , or two-pair , or cooper pair , or pair-bond , or pair creation , or pair formation , or pair of compasses , or pair-bonding , or closed pair , or complete pair , or double pair royal , or electron pairpair I. \ˈpa(a)](ə)r, ˈpe], ]ə\ noun (plural pairs also pair) Etymology: Middle English peire, paire, from Old French paire, from Latin paria equal things, from neuter plural of par equal; probably akin to Greek pernanai to sell, pornē harlot, poreuein to convey — more at fare 1. a. (1) : a set of two separate things designed to be used together that may correspond to each other to the extent of being identical (as in shape, size, color, material) < a pair of candlesticks > < a pair of oars > < a pair of dice > or nearly identical except for differences arising typically out of adaptation to use with or on the right and left sides or parts of something < a pair of shoes > < a pair of socks > < a pair of stirrups > < a pair of bookends > or with or on the upper or lower parts or levels of something < had arranged a matching pair of shelves one above the other on the wall > and that may sometimes have only a general correspondence (as in color, design) and otherwise differ markedly (as in shape) while designed to be used together and together forming a single integral unit < a pair of pajamas > (2) : a set of two corresponding bodily parts or members < had a beautiful pair of eyes > < a pair of muscular hands > b. : something made up of two corresponding parts or pieces joined together at or near one end < pair of trousers > < pair of scissors > < pair of tweezers > < pair of pliers > or at some other point < pair of suspenders > < pair of eyeglasses > so as to form a single integral unit 2. a. : a set of two separate things that are identical or similar < a pair of twins > or that happen to be closely associated without necessarily being identical or similar < the horse and rider made a fine pair > or that in some other way occur together or are brought together or are used together or are viewed as together forming a closely associated couple that is usually but not necessarily made up of two things that are of the same kind or are identical or similar or that correspond in some other way : a group of two < a pair of brothers > < noticed that some of the plants grew in pairs > < a pair of champions > < picked up a pair of greeting cards > < minimal pairs in phonemics > as (1) : a mated couple of animals < a pair of bears > < a pair of robins > (2) : a couple in love; especially : an engaged or married couple < were a devoted pair > < congratulated the newly married pair > (3) : a combination of two playing cards of the same value or denomination < held a pair > (4) : a couple of horses harnessed together side by side < a carriage and pair > (5) : a couple of partners (as in a game, at a dance, in a business enterprise) < a pair of bridge players > < enjoyed watching the waltzing pairs > < are a shrewd pair > (6) : a couple of individuals that are members of opposite parties or hold opposed opinions in a deliberative body and that mutually agree not to vote on a specific issue during a time (as a period of absence of one or both) agreed on (7) : a couple of individuals that are being spoken of or otherwise considered < you'll remember that pair, I think > especially : a couple of individuals that have something (as specific traits of character) in common < were an honest pair > (8) : a combination of two kinematic parts applied to each other in such a way as mutually to constrain relative motion < a cylinder and its piston are a sliding pair > (9) : a couple of postage stamps attached to each other (10) : a basketry plait made up of two rods woven alternately one over the other b. (1) : partnership < working in pairs > especially : a partnership of two players (as bridge players) or other contestants engaged in a game or other contest against another such partnership (2) pairs plural : a game, contest, or tournament engaged in by players or other contestants divided up into such partnerships < succeeded in winning the pairs > c. : an agreement not to vote made by the two members of a pair (sense 2a(6)) d. : pair-oar < well-trained in sculls, pairs and fours — Sports Illustrated > 3. chiefly dialect : an integral whole made up of a set or succession of more than two things (as parts, pieces, sections) that usually closely resemble each other or belong together for completeness: as a. : a series of small objects (as beads) strung together (as in a necklace or rosary) : string b. : a musical instrument made up of several related parts < a pair of beautiful old organs — W.M.Thackeray > c. : a graduated succession of steps : flight < two pair of stairs — Henry Fielding > II. verb (-ed/-ing/-s) transitive verb 1. a. : to make a pair of (as by bringing together, joining, matching, associating, mating) < paired the two films in a double bill > < paired a couple of cards > — often used with off or up < paired off the animals > b. (1) : to cause to be a member of a pair — often used with up < paired him up with an opponent about his equal > (2) : to bring into a mutual agreement not to vote on a specific issue during a time agreed on < missed a vote on an important issue … by being paired — Current Biography > 2. : to arrange in pairs : separate into pairs < paired her guests into congenial couples > — often used with off < paired off the group into couples for the next dance > intransitive verb 1. : to form a matching or equal member of a pair — often used with off or up < a shoe that doesn't pair up with the other > 2. a. (1) : to become united or closely associated with another so as to form a pair (as by partnership, companionship, mating) — often used with off or up < paired up with an old friend > < the season when most birds pair off > (2) : to come to a mutual agreement with one of an opposite party or opinion not to vote on a specific issue during a time agreed on < failed to appear, pair, or announce his position — New York Times > b. : to become grouped or separated into pairs — often used with off < the happy crowd gradually paired off > 3. : to achieve or show a combination of two playing cards of equal value or denomination < on my fourth card I paired > III. verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English pairen, short for apairen, apeyren, ampayrien, from Old French empeirier — more at impair chiefly dialect : impair IV. noun (-s) Etymology: French pair, adjective, even, equal, from Latin par equal : the even numbers in roulette when a bet is made on them |
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Next card: Paleenthnology
Previous card: Pacify to to anger the from b verb
Up to card list: English learning