par

par

I

par /pɑː $ pɑːr/ noun [uncountable]1. be on a par (with something) 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

II

para² (also par)
the written abbreviation of paragraph