Pairing (redirected from pairings)

pair  (pâr)

n. pl. pair or pairs

1. Two corresponding persons or items, similar in form or function and matched or associated: a pair of shoes.

2. One object composed of two joined, similar parts that are dependent upon each other: a pair of pliers.

3.

a. Two persons who are married, engaged, or dating.

b. Two persons who have something in common and are considered together: a pair of hunters.

c. Two mated animals.

d. Two animals joined together in work.

4. Games Two playing cards of the same denomination.

5. Two members of a deliberative body with opposing opinions on a given issue who agree to abstain from voting on the issue, thereby offsetting each other.

6. Chemistry An electron pair.

v. paired, pair·ing, pairs

v.tr.

1. To arrange in sets of two; couple.

2. To join in a pair; mate.

3. To provide a partner for.

v.intr.

1. To form pairs or a pair.

2. To join in marriage; mate.

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[Middle English, from Old French paire, from Latin paria, equals, pl. of pr, a pair, from pr, equal; see per-² in Indo-European roots.]

Usage Note: The noun pair can be followed by a singular or plural verb. The singular is always used when pair denotes the set taken as a single entity: This pair of shoes is on sale. A plural verb is used when the members are considered as individuals: The pair are working more harmoniously now. After a number other than one, pair itself can be either singular or plural, but the plural is now more common: She bought six pairs (or pair) of stockings.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	pairing - the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes; "the casual couplings of adolescents"; "the mating of some species occurs only in the spring" mating, sexual union, union, coupling, conjugation sex, sex activity, sexual activity, sexual practice - activities associated with sexual intercourse; "they had sex in the back seat" assortative mating - mating of individuals having more traits in common than likely in random mating disassortative mating - mating of individuals having traits more dissimilar than likely in random mating hybridisation, hybridization, hybridizing, interbreeding, crossbreeding, crossing, cross - (genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids inbreeding - the act of mating closely related individuals servicing, service - the act of mating by male animals; "the bull was worth good money in servicing fees"
	2.	pairing - the act of grouping things or people in pairs buddy system - a cooperative practice of pairing two or more people together for mutual assistance or safety (especially in recreational swimming) match-up, matchup - the pairing of people or things as for comparison or competition; "it was a good match-up but the home team won"; "we need a matchup of the best teachers with the neediest schools" grouping - the activity of putting things together in groups