an equality in value or standing; a level of equality: The gains and the losses are on a par.
an average, usual, or normal amount, degree, quality, condition, standard, or the like: above par; to feel below par.
Golf. the number of strokes set as a standard for a specific hole or a complete course.
Finance.
the legally established value of the monetary unit of one country in terms of that of another using the same metal as a standard of value.
the state of the shares of any business, undertaking, loan, etc., when they may be purchased at the original price (issue par) or at their face value (nominal par).
at par,Finance. (of a share) purchasable at issue par or nominal par.
adjective
average or normal.
Finance. at or pertaining to par: the par value of a bond.
verb (used with object),parred,par·ring.
Golf. to equal par on (a hole or course).
Origin of par
1
First recorded in 1615–25,par is from the Latin word pār equal
the condition of equality between the current market value of a share, bond, etc, and its face value (the nominal par). This equality is indicated by at par, while above (orbelow) par indicates that the market value is above (or below) face value
golfan estimated standard score for a hole or course that a good player should makepar for the course was 72
below parorunder parnot feeling or performing as well as normal
par for the coursean expected or normal occurrence or situation
adjective
average or normal
(usually prenominal)commerceof or relating to parpar value
"by, for," mid-13c., from Old French par, per, from Latin per (see per).
par
n.
1620s, "equality," also "value of one currency in terms of another," from Latin par "equal, equal-sized, well-matched," also as a noun, "that which is equal, equality," of unknown origin. Watkins suggests perhaps from PIE root *pere- "to grant, allot," with suggestion of reciprocality (see part (n.)).
Another guess connects it with PIE root *per- "to traffic in, sell" (on notion of "give equal value for"); see pornography. Meaning "average or usual amount" is first attested 1767. Golf usage is first attested 1898. Figurative use of par for the course is from 1928.
