They're pulled on in pairs (4)

I believe the answer is:

oars

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'pairs' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for oars that I've seen before include "Manually operated boat propellers" , "Soar with propellors" , "Soar around the rowers" , "Al --, US gangster" , "Sweeps" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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