Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

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

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of amate

Transitive verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Transitive verb (2)

1578, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1862, in the meaning defined above

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about amate

Statistics for amate

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for amate

The first known use of amate was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Comments on amate

What made you want to look up amate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

henchman

a trusted follower

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games