What is "house of peers"

Peer \Peer\, n. [OE. per, OF. per, F. pair, fr. L. par equal. Cf. Apparel, Pair, Par, n., Umpire.]

1. One of the same rank, quality, endowments, character, etc.; an equal; a match; a mate.

   In song he never had his peer.
   --Dryden.

   Shall they consort only with their peers?
   --I. Taylor.

2. A comrade; a companion; a fellow; an associate.

   He all his peers in beauty did surpass.
   --Spenser.

3. A nobleman; a member of one of the five degrees of the British nobility, namely, duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron; as, a peer of the realm.

   A noble peer of mickle trust and power.
   --Milton.

   House of Peers, The Peers, the British House of Lords. See Parliament.

   Spiritual peers, the bishops and archibishops, or lords spiritual, who sit in the House of Lords.

The was the upper house of the Imperial Diet as mandated under the Constitution of the Empire of Japan (in effect from 11 February 1889 to 3 May 1947).

The House of Peers can refer to:

• The British House of Lords, which is known as the "House of Peers" for ceremonial purposes
• The pre-1801 Irish House of Lords
• The Japanese House of Peers, the predecessor to the House of Councilors
• Cromwell's House of Peers (1658–1659) during the final years of the Protectorate