par

par [pa: US pa:r] n [U]

[Date: 1500-1600; : Latin; Origin: 'equal']

1.) be on a par (with sth)

to be at the same level or standard

▪ The wages of clerks were on a par with those of manual workers.

▪ We will have Christmas decorations on a par with anything on show at the MetroCentre.

2.) be below/under par

a) to feel a little ill or lacking in energy

▪ I've been feeling a little under par the last couple of weeks.

b) also not be up to par

to be less good than usual or below the proper standard

▪ None of the people who'd auditioned were really up to par.

▪ The champion was playing well below par.

3.) be par for the course

to be what you would normally expect to happen - used to show disapproval

▪ Long hours and tough working conditions are often par for the course in catering.

4.) the number of ↑strokes a good player should take to hit the ball into a hole in the game of ↑golf

▪ The last hole is a par five.

5.) also par value technical

the value of a ↑stock or ↑bond that is printed on it when it is first sold

▪ bonds sold at 97% of their par value

at/above/below/under par

▪ The notes are currently trading at 10% above par.

→↑par excellence