Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.