pair
UK: peə | US: pɛr
n. two identical or similar things matched for use together
n. two people or animals connected in a relationship (e.g., a pair of shoes, a pair of dancers)
vt. to arrange or join two things or people together
The word "pair" originates from the Latin paria, meaning "equals" or "a set of two." It entered Old French as paire, retaining the sense of duality, and was later adopted into Middle English. The core idea of "two matched or corresponding items" has remained consistent throughout its evolution. Unlike many English words with complex morpheme structures, "pair" is monomorphic—its meaning is indivisible in modern English, deriving wholly from its Latin root.
She bought a new pair of gloves for winter.
The teacher asked the students to pair up for the project.
These socks don’t form a matching pair.
The dance competition requires each participant to perform with a partner—no solo acts, only pairs.
The chef paired the wine with a delicate cheese.