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.