Meaning

noun a set of two similar things considered as a unit

noun two items of the same kind

noun two people considered as a unit

originFrom Middle English paire, from Old French paire, from Latin paria (“equals”), neuter plural of par (“pair”). Related to pār (“equal”, adjective). Compare Saterland Frisian Poor (“pair”), West Frisian pear (“pair”), Dutch paar (“pair”), German Paar (“pair”), Italian paio (“pair”)

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0