par
1- 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.
- average or normal.
- Finance. at or pertaining to par: the par value of a bond.
- Golf. to equal par on (a hole or course).
- par for the course, exactly what one might expect; typical: They were late again, but that's par for the course.
Origin of par
1par
2- of or relating to participating insurance.
Origin of par
2par.
par-
- variant of para-1 before a vowel: parenchyma.
Related Words for par
parity, equality, level, equivalence, median, standard, criterion, mean, model, balance, norm, sameness, usual, equivalencyExamples from the Web for par
Contemporary Examples of par
There are only 175 countries on that list, which puts Russia on a par with Lebanon and Nigeria.
The city is incredibly violent for its size, on par with metropolises that dwarf the town.
A life-sized poster of Par Gyi greeted guests at the entrance.
These things are absolutely deplorable, but they were par for the course for some of the more dedicated “Gamers” in the community.
The idea of a soap being advertised as gluten-free struck me as ludicrous—roughly on par with a shampoo proclaiming to be low fat.
Historical Examples of par
The modest ones and I, particularly, are pretty much upon a par.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
He appeared to place the regimental orderly book on a par with the Bible.
The DownfallEmile Zola
These are his "set," par excellence, and he knows them thoroughly.
One Of ThemCharles James Lever
Some continental authorities place him on a par with Tourte.
The Bow, Its History, Manufacture and UseHenry Saint-George
Par Saint Jaaques, they know where to make themselves merry.
Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume I (of II)Charles James Lever
par
- an accepted level or standard, such as an average (esp in the phrase up to par)
- a state of equality (esp in the phrase on a par with)
- finance the established value of the unit of one national currency in terms of the unit of another where both are based on the same metal standard
- commerce
- See par value
- 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 (or below) par indicates that the market value is above (or below) face value
- golf an estimated standard score for a hole or course that a good player should makepar for the course was 72
- below par or under par not feeling or performing as well as normal
- par for the course an expected or normal occurrence or situation
- average or normal
- (usually prenominal) commerce of or relating to parpar value
Word Origin for par
par-
- a variant of para- 1
par.
- paragraph
- parenthesis
- parish
Par.
- Paraguay
Word Origin and History for par
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.
"by, for," mid-13c., from Old French par, per, from Latin per (see per).
par
(pär)- A pair; specifically, a pair of cranial nerves.
Idioms and Phrases with par
par
In addition to the idiom beginning with par
- par for the course
also see:
- below par
- on a par with
- up to par