Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PAR
I. noun
Etymology: Latin, one that is equal, from par equal
Date: 1622
1. the established value of the monetary unit of one country expressed in terms of the monetary unit of another country using the same metal as the standard of value, the face amount of an instrument of value (as a check or note): as, the monetary value assigned to each share of stock in the charter of a corporation, the principal of a bond, common level ; equality ,
3. an amount taken as an average or norm, an accepted standard, the score standard for each hole of a golf course, par adjective
II. transitive verb (parred; parring)
Date: 1950
to score par on (a hole)