Word Meanings - PAIR - Book Publishers vocabulary database

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

Additional info about word: PAIR

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 , 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 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 ." Quarles. Syn. -- Pair, Flight, Set. Originally, pair was not confined to two things, but was applied to any number of equal things , that go together. Ben Jonson speaks of a pair of chessmen; also, he and Lord Bacon speak of a pair of cards. A "pair of stairs" is still in popular use, as well as the later expression, "flight of stairs." (more info) 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: 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.

Possible synonyms: (Same meaning words of PAIR)

• Match
• Equal
• mate
• companion
• contest
• competition
• tally
• equality
• pair

Related words: (words related to PAIR)

• COMPANIONLESS
  Without a companion.
• TALLYHO
  1. The huntsman's cry to incite or urge on his hounds. 2. A tallyho coach. Tallyho coach, a pleasure coach. See under Coach.
• EQUALIZER
  One who, or that which, equalizes anything.
• CONTESTABLE
  Capable of being contested; debatable.
• MATCHMAKER
  1. One who makes matches for burning or kinding. 2. One who tries to bring about marriages.
• EQUALIZE
  1. To make equal; to cause to correspond, or be like, in amount or degree as compared; as, to equalize accounts, burdens, or taxes. One poor moment can suffice To equalize the lofty and the low. Wordsworth. No system of instruction will completely
• CONTESTATION
  1. The act of contesting; emulation; rivalry; strife; dispute. "Loverlike contestation." Milton. After years spent in domestic, unsociable contestations, she found means to withdraw. Clarendon. 2. Proof by witness; attestation; testimony. A solemn
• COMPANIONABLE
  Fitted to be a companion; fit for good fellowship; agreeable; sociable. "Each companionable guest." Mallett. "Companionable wit." Clarendon. -- Com*pan"ion*a*ble*ness, n. -- Com*pan"ion*a*bly, adv.
• EQUALITY
  Exact agreement between two expressions or magnitudes with respect to quantity; -- denoted by the symbol =; thus, a = x signifies that a contains the same number and kind of units of measure that x does. Confessional equality. See under
• COMPANION
  companio , fr. L. com- + panis 1. One who accompanies or is in company with another for a longer or shorter period, either from choice or casually; one who is much in the company of, or is associated with, another or others; an associate;
• MATCHLOCK
  An old form of gunlock containing a match for firing the priming; hence, a musket fired by means of a match.
• MATCH-CLOTH
  A coarse cloth.
• MATCH PLAY
  Play in which the score is reckoned by counting the holes won or lost by each side; -- disting. from medal play.
• MATCHMAKING
  1. The act or process of making matches for kindling or burning. 2. The act or process of trying to bring about a marriage for others.
• MATCH GAME
  A game arranged as a test of superiority; also, one of a series of such games.
• MATCH-COAT
  A coat made of match-cloth.
• COMPETITION
  The act of seeking, or endevearing to gain, what another is endeavoring to gain at the same time; common strife for the same objects; strife for superiority; emulous contest; rivalry, as for approbation, for a prize, or as where two or more persons
• CONTESTANT
  One who contests; an opponent; a litigant; a disputant; one who claims that which has been awarded to another.
• CONTEST
  To make a subject of litigation; to defend, as a suit; to dispute or resist; as a claim, by course of law; to controvert. To contest an election. To strive to be elected. To dispute the declared result of an election. Syn. -- To
• MATCH
  Anything used for catching and retaining or communicating fire, made of some substance which takes fire readily, or remains burning some time; esp., a small strip or splint of wood dipped at one end in a substance which can be easily ignited by
• ACCIDENTALLY
  In an accidental manner; unexpectedly; by chance; unintentionally; casually; fortuitously; not essentially.
• UNEQUALABLE
  Not capable of being equaled or paralleled. Boyle.
• ALIMENTALLY
  So as to serve for nourishment or food; nourishing quality. Sir T. Browne.
• HORIZONTALLY
  In a horizontal direction or position; on a level; as, moving horizontally.
• INEQUALITY
  An expression consisting of two unequal quantities, with the sign of inequality between them; as, the inequality 2 < 3, or 4 > 1. (more info) 1. The quality of being unequal; difference, or want of equality, in any respect; lack of uniformity;
• SENTIMENTALLY
  In a sentimental manner.
• TEETOTALLY
  Entirely; totally.
• SACRAMENTALLY
  In a sacrament manner.
• INCONTESTED
  Not contested. Addison.
• MISMATCH
  To match unsuitably.
• IMMATCHABLE
  Matchless; peerless. Holland.
• BRUTALLY
  In a brutal manner; cruelly.
• FUNDAMENTALLY
  Primarily; originally; essentially; radically; at the foundation; in origin or constituents. "Fundamentally defective." Burke.