pars

1. the number of strokes a first-class player should normally require for a particular hole or course.

   Woosnam had advanced from his overnight position of three under par

   the sixteenth is a par five

2. the face value of a share or other security, as distinct from its market value.

   the 9 per cent unsecured loan stock is redeemable at par

   par value

1. play (a hole) in par.

   he calmly parred the 17th

late 16th century (in the sense ‘equality of value or standing’): from Latin, ‘equal’, also ‘equality’. The golf term dates from the late 19th century.

1. a paragraph.

   fifteen pars on the front page

mid 19th century: abbreviation.