par
LatinVariants
Related Roots
About This Root
From Latin pār (equal) and parāre (to prepare, make ready). Two semantic streams: equality (compare, disparity, pair, nonpareil, parallel) and preparation (prepare, repair — literally 'make ready again'). Impair means to make unequal/worse. The dual meaning makes this root unusually versatile.
Associated Words
apparatus
Equipment or tools designed for a specific purpose; a complex system
apparel
Clothing; to dress someone
apparent
Clearly obvious; seeming true but not necessarily so
comparability
The quality of being similar enough to be compared
comparable
Able to be compared; similar in quality or degree
comparably
In a similar or equivalent manner
comparative
Relating to comparison; the grammatical comparative degree
comparatively
Relatively; when compared to other things
compare
To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it similar...; An instruction or command that compares two values or states
comparison
The act of examining similarities and differences between things
disparate
Essentially different or unlike in nature; incomparable elements
disparity
A noticeable difference or inequality
hearing-impaired
Having partial or total loss of hearing
impair
To weaken or damage, making less effective
impaired
Weakened in function; having a disability; drunk
impairment
A reduction in strength or ability; a disability
incomparable
So outstanding as to be beyond comparison; matchless
incomparably
To a degree that is beyond comparison
irreparable
Impossible to repair or make right again
irreparably
In a way that cannot be repaired or undone
nonpareil
Unequalled, unique; a person or thing without equal
pair
Two matching things or people; to match two things together
parade
A public procession or display; to march or show off
parallel
Extending in the same direction at equal distance; a corresponding similarity
parallelism
The state of being parallel; similarity or correspondence
parallelize
To make parallel; to adapt for parallel processing
pare
To peel the outer skin from something; to reduce gradually
parent
a mother or father; to raise a child
parity
Equality or equivalence in status or value; (math) odd or even property
peer
To look carefully at something; a person of equal standing; a British nobleman
peer-group
A social group of people of similar age or status
peerless
Without equal; of the highest quality
preparation
The act of getting ready; the state of readiness
prepare
to make ready in advance
repair
To fix something broken or damaged; the act of fixing something
repairable
Able to be fixed or restored
repairs
Work done to fix something damaged; to restore to good condition
reparable
Able to be repaired or corrected
reparation
Compensation for a wrong or injury; war reparations
separate
to divide or keep apart; not connected or shared
separation
The act or state of being divided or apart; a couple living apart
several
more than two but not very many
transparent
See-through, clear; obvious or easy to understand; open and public
unimpaired
Not damaged or weakened in any way
viviparous
Giving birth to live young, not eggs