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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Spiritual 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.