mate Definition

mate¹
noun

1. An animal's breeding partner.
2. colloq
A person's sexual partner, especially a husband or wife.
3a. colloq
A companion or friend, especially one of one's own sex;
Thesaurus: partner, comrade, associate, colleague, friend, chum, crony, pal, helper, sidekick(slang).
3b. Used as a form of address, especially to a man.

Example: alright, mate
4. A colleague; a person someone shares something with.

Example: workmate
Example: flatmate
5. A tradesman's assistant.

Example: plumber's mate
6. One of a pair.

Thesaurus: match, analogue, counterpart, complement.
7. naut.
Any officer below the rank of master on a merchant ship.
Example: first mate

verb mated, mating

intr
1. Said of animals: to copulate.

Thesaurus: couple, copulate.
2. To bring (male and female animals) together for breeding.
tr & intr
3. To marry.
4. To join (two things) as a pair.

Derivative: mateship
noun

(specially Austral)
The bond between close friends or mates.

Etymology: 14c: related to Anglo-Saxon gemetta a guest at one's table.

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mate² checkmate

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maté
mate
noun matés, mates

1. A S American species of holly tree.
2. A type of tea made from its dried leaves.

Etymology: 18c: American Spanish, from Quechua mati the gourd in which the tea is made.