*pair*

v. t. & i. [ OF. empeirier, F. empire. See Impair. ] To impair; to grow worse. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Biochemistry, Genetics) a unit of double-stranded DNA or RNA consisting of two complementary bases on opposing strands of the double-stranded polynucleotide, bound together by hydrogen bonds and other non-covalent chemical forces. The bases comprising the base pairs are adenine, thymine, cytidine, and guanine. In normal DNA, the base adenine on one strand of DNA pairs with thymine on the opposite strand, and cytosine on one strand pairs with guanine on the opposite strand. The term base pair usually includes the sugar (ribose or deoxyribose) and the phosphate bound to each base to form a nucleotide unit. One base pair is sometimes used as a unit of length or size for DNA, and in this usage is abbreviated bp; as, a 100-bp fragment of DNA. A length of 1000 base pairs is a kilobase pair or kbp. [ PJC ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Despaired p. pr. & vb. n. Despairing. ] [ OE. despeiren, dispeiren, OF. desperer, fr. L. desperare; de- + sperare to hope; akin to spes hope, and perh. to spatium space, E. space, speed; cf. OF. espeir hope, F. espoir. Cf. Prosper, Desperate. ] To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation; -- often with of. [ 1913 Webster ]

We despaired even of life. 2 Cor. i. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

Never despair of God's blessings here. Wake.

Syn. -- See Despond. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I would not despair the greatest design that could be attempted. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cause to despair. [ Obs. ] Sir W. Williams. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. despoir, fr. desperer. ] 1. Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency. [ 1913 Webster ]

We in dark dreams are tossing to and fro,
Pine with regret, or sicken with despair. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

Before he [ Bunyan ] was ten, his sports were interrupted by fits of remorse and despair. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is despaired of. “The mere despair of surgery he cures.” Shak.

Syn. -- Desperation; despondency; hopelessness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who despairs. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Hopeless. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Feeling or expressing despair; hopeless. -- De*spair"ing*ly, adv. -- De*spair"ing*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To separate (a pair). [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I have . . . dispaired two doves. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A state of being in bad condition, and needing repair. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fortifications were ancient and in disrepair. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To impair. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. having a hearing impairment making hearing difficult; having a defective but functioning sense of hearing.
Syn. -- hard-of-hearing. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Impaired p. pr. & vb. n. Impairing. ] [ Written also empair. ] [ OE. empeiren, enpeiren, OF. empeirier, empirier, F. empirer, LL. impejorare; L. pref. im- in + pejorare to make worse, fr. pejor worse. Cf. Appair. ] To make worse; to diminish in quantity, value, excellence, or strength; to deteriorate; as, to impair health, character, the mind, value. [ 1913 Webster ]

Time sensibly all things impairs. Roscommon. [ 1913 Webster ]

In years he seemed, but not impaired by years. Pope.

Syn. -- To diminish; decrease; injure; weaken; enfeeble; debilitate; reduce; debase; deteriorate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To grow worse; to deteriorate. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. impair uneven, L. impar; im- not + par equal. ] Not fit or appropriate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Diminution; injury. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, impairs. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. enpeirement, OF. empirement. ] The state, act, or process of being impaired; injury. “The impairment of my health.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. paire, LL. paria, L. paria, pl. of par pair, fr. par, adj., equal. Cf. Apparel, Par equality, Peer an equal. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ Now mostly or quite disused. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Two crowns in my pocket, two pair of cards. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Two of a sort; a span; a yoke; a couple; a brace; as, a pair of horses; a pair of oxen. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A married couple; a man and wife. “A happy pair.” Dryden. “The hapless pair.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A single thing, composed of two pieces fitted to each other and used together; as, a pair of scissors; a pair of pants; a pair of tongs; a pair of bellows. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question (in order, for example, to allow the members to be absent during the vote without affecting the outcome of the vote), or on issues of a party nature during a specified time; as, there were two pairs on the final vote. [ Parliamentary Cant ] A member who is thus paired with one who would have voted oppositely is said to be paired for or paired against a measure, depending on the member's position. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

7. (Kinematics) In a mechanism, two elements, or bodies, which are so applied to each other as to mutually constrain relative motion. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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 (as a cam and roller acting together), 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pair royal (pl. Pairs 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 [ the Fates ].” Quarles. [ Written corruptly parial and prial. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Pair, Flight, Set. Originally, pair was not confined to two things, but was applied to any number of equal things (pares), that go together. Ben Jonson speaks of a pair (set) of chessmen; also, he and Lord Bacon speak of a pair (pack) of cards. A “pair of stairs” is still in popular use, as well as the later expression, “flight of stairs.” [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Paired p. pr. & vb. n. Pairing. ] 1. To be joined in pairs; to couple; to mate, as for breeding. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To suit; to fit, as a counterpart. [ 1913 Webster ]

My heart was made to fit and pair with thine. Rowe. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Same as To pair off. See phrase below. [ 1913 Webster ]

To pair off, to separate from a group in pairs or couples; specif. (Parliamentary Cant), to agree with one of the opposite party or opinion to abstain from voting on specified questions or issues. See Pair, n., 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To unite in couples; to form a pair of; to bring together, as things which belong together, or which complement, or are adapted to one another. [ 1913 Webster ]

Glossy jet is paired with shining white. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To engage (one's self) with another of opposite opinions not to vote on a particular question or class of questions. [ Parliamentary Cant ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Paired fins. (Zool.) See under Fin. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Impair. ] To impair. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. Organized into compatible pairs; -- used of gloves, socks, etc. See pair{ 1 }, v. t.
Syn. -- mated. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. (Botany) Growing in pairs on either side of a stem; -- of leaves etc. alternate
Syn. -- opposite. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. Mated sexually. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who impairs. [ Obs. ] Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Pair, v. i. ] 1. The act or process of uniting or arranging in pairs or couples. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. See To pair off, under Pair, v. i. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pairing time, the time when birds or other animals pair. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Impairment. [ Obs. ] Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Physics) The simultaneous creation of a particle and its antiparticle, such as an electron and positron, from a photon; -- usually due to its interaction with the strong field near a nucleus. [ PJC ]

v. i. [ OE. repairen, OF. repairier to return, fr. L. repatriare to return to one's contry, to go home again; pref. re- re- + patria native country, fr. pater father. See Father, and cf. Repatriate. ] 1. To return. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I thought . . . that he repaire should again. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To go; to betake one's self; to resort; ass, to repair to sanctuary for safety. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Go, mount the winds, and to the shades repair. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. repaire retreat, asylum, abode. See Repair to go. ] 1. The act of repairing or resorting to a place. [ R. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

The king sent a proclamation for their repair to their houses. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Place to which one repairs; a haunt; a resort. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

There the fierce winds his tender force assail
And beat him downward to his first repair. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Repaired p. pr. & vb. n. Repairing. ] [ F. réparer, L. reparare; pref. re- re- + parare to prepare. See Pare, and cf. Reparation. ] 1. To restore to a sound or good state after decay, injury, dilapidation, or partial destruction; to renew; to restore; to mend; as, to repair a house, a road, a shoe, or a ship; to repair a shattered fortune. [ 1913 Webster ]

Secret refreshings that repair his strength. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Do thou, as thou art wont, repair
My heart with gladness. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make amends for, as for an injury, by an equivalent; to indemnify for; as, to repair a loss or damage. [ 1913 Webster ]

I 'll repair the misery thou dost bear. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To restore, recover; renew; amend; mend; retrieve; recruit. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Restoration to a sound or good state after decay, waste, injury, or partial restruction; supply of loss; reparation; as, materials are collected for the repair of a church or of a city. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sunk down and sought repair
Of sleep, which instantly fell on me. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Condition with respect to soundness, perfectness, etc.; as, a house in good, or bad, repair; the book is out of repair. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Reparable. Gauden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, repairs, restores, or makes amends. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Act of repairing. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ or } (Elec.) A union of two conductors, as bars or wires of dissimilar metals joined at their extremities, for producing a thermoelectric current. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. That can not be impaired. Hakewill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not paired; not suited or matched. [ 1913 Webster ]

And minds unpaired had better think alone. Crabbe. [ 1913 Webster ]

See accommodating.
See aching.
See ailing.
See aiming.
See alarming.
See altering.
See appreciating.
See approving.
See aspiring.
See assisting.
See attempting.
See attending.
See bearing.
See befitting.
See beginning.
See believing.
See bleaching.
See bleeding.
See blemishing.
See blenching.
See blossoming.
See blushing.
See boding.
See branching.
See breathing.
See burning.
See calculating.
See ceasing.
See changing.
See charming.
See communicating.
See complaining.
See complying.
See conceiving.
See conducing.
See confessing.
See conniving.
See consenting.
See considering.
See conspiring.
See consulting.
See consuming.
See contending.
See contriving.
See conversing.
See convincing.
See dawning.
See decaying.
See delaying.
See depending.
See derogating.
See deserving.
See desiring.
See despairing.
See detesting.
See deviating.
See differencing.
See discerning.
See discording.
See discriminating.
See disobliging.
See dispensing.
See dissembling.
See dissolving.
See distinguishing.
See distracting.
See disturbing.
See doubting.
See dreading.
See drooping.
See ebbing.
See echoing.
See edifying.
See ending.
See enduring.
See engaging.
See enjoying.
See entering.
See enterprising.
See entertaining.
See envying.
See existing.
See fadging.
See fading.
See fainting.
See faltering.
See fearing.
See feigning.
See fighting.
See fitting.
See flagging.
See flattering.
See flinching.
See folding.
See forbearing.
See foreboding.
See foreseeing.
See forgiving.
See giving.
See grudging.
See harming.
See heeding.
See hesitating.
See hoping.
See hurting.
See importing.
See imposing.
See improving.
See interesting.
See intermitting.
See intoxicating.
See inviting.
See jarring.
See laboring.
See lingering.
See listening.
See loving.
See meddling.
See meriting.
See mistrusting.
See moving.
See murmuring.
See obliging.
See observing.
See offending.
See opening.
See pardoning.
See paying.
See perceiving.
See performing.
See perishing.
See pitying.
See pleasing.
See possessing.
See preaching.
See prepossessing.
See presuming.
See pretending.
See prevailing.
See prevaricating.
See profiting.
See promising.
See proving.
See quailing.
See questioning.
See reasoning.
See recalling.
See reclining.
See recurring.
See referring.
See reflecting.
See refunding.
See refusing.
See rejoicing.
See relaxing.
See relishing.
See remembering.
See repenting.
See repining.
See reproving.
See repulsing.
See resisting.
See resolving.
See resting.
See returning.
See rewarding.
See sanctifying.
See satisfying.
See searching.
See seeing.
See setting.
See shrinking.
See sinking.
See sleeping.
See slipping.
See slumbering.
See speaking.
See stinting.
See stirring.
See stooping.
See submitting.
See sufficing.
See suiting.
See surging.
See suspecting.
See sweating.
See swerving.
See sympathizing.
See tasting.
See thriving.
See tiring.
See toiling.
See trading.
See trembling.
See trespassing.
See trifling.
See vacillating.
See varying.
See walking.
See wandering.
See waning.
See wasting.
See wavering.
See weeping.
See winking.
See winning.
See withdrawing.
See withering.
See wondering.
See working.
See writing.
See yielding.
----- and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

The above classes of words are unlimited in extent, and such compounds may be formed by any writer or speaker at will from almost all the adjectives or participles in the language, excepting those which have a recognized and usual negative correspondent with the prefix -in. No attempt will be made, therefore, to define them all in this Dictionary; many will be omitted from its Vocabulary which are negations of the simple word, and are readily explained by prefixing a not to the latter. Derivatives of these words in -ly and -ness will also, for the most part, be omitted for the same or similar reasons. [ 1913 Webster ]

There will be inserted as separate articles with definitions, the following: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Those which have acquired an opposed or contrary, instead of a merely negative, meaning; as, unfriendly, ungraceful, unpalatable, unquiet, and the like; or else an intensive sense more than a prefixed not would express; as, unending, unparalleled, undisciplined, undoubted, unsafe, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Those which have the value of independent words, inasmuch as the simple words are either not used at all, or are rarely, or at least much less frequently, used; as, unavoidable, unconscionable, undeniable, unspeakable, unprecedented, unruly, and the like; or inasmuch as they are used in a different sense from the usual meaning of the primitive, or especially in one of the significations of the latter; as, unaccountable, unalloyed, unbelieving, unpretending, unreserved, and the like; or inasmuch as they are so frequently and familiarly used that they are hardly felt to be of negative origin; as, uncertain, uneven, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Those which are anomalous, provincial, or, for some other reason, not desirable to be used, and are so indicated; as, unpure for impure, unsatisfaction for dissatisfaction, unexpressible for inexpressible, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

II. Un- is prefixed to nouns to express the absence of, or the contrary of, that which the noun signifies; as, unbelief, unfaith, unhealth, unrest, untruth, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Compounds of this last class are given in full in their proper order in the Vocabulary. [ 1913 Webster ]