amate

transitive verb (1)

-ed/-ing/-s

Definition of amate

(Entry 1 of 3)

archaic

: to cast down : dishearten, subdue

amate

transitive verb (2)

-ed/-ing/-s

Definition of amate (Entry 2 of 3)

obsolete

: to be a mate to : match

amate

noun

ama·te | \ äˈmätē \

plural -s

Definition of amate (Entry 3 of 3)

: a Central American timber tree (Ficus glabrata) with lustrous foliage and edible fruits

History and Etymology for amate

Transitive verb (1)

Middle English amaten, from Middle French amatir, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad-) + matir to overcome, from mat defeated, overcome

Transitive verb (2)

a- (perfective prefix) + mate (to couple, match)

Noun

Spanish, from Nahuatl amatl, short for amacuahuitl, literally, paper tree, from amatl paper + cuahuitl tree

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Dictionary Entries near amate

a match made in heaven

amateur dramatic

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Cite this Entry

“Amate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amate. Accessed 4 Mar. 2021.

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