The Collaborative International Dictionary
Peer \Peer\, n. [OE. per, OF. per, F. pair, fr. L. par equal. Cf. Apparel, Pair, Par, n., Umpire.]
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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. -
A comrade; a companion; a fellow; an associate.
He all his peers in beauty did surpass.
--Spenser. -
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.