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mate

verb (1)
\ˈmāt \
mated; mating

Definition of mate 

(Entry 1 of 5)

transitive verb

: checkmate sense 2

mate

noun (1)

Definition of mate (Entry 2 of 5)

: checkmate sense 1

mate

noun (2)

Definition of mate (Entry 3 of 5)

1a(1) : associate, companion

(2) chiefly British : an assistant to a more skilled worker : helper

(3) chiefly British : friend, buddy —often used as a familiar form of address

b archaic : match, peer

2 : a deck officer on a merchant ship ranking below the captain

3 : one of a pair: such as

a : either member of a couple and especially a married couple

b : either member of a breeding pair of animals

c : either of two matched objects

mate

verb (2)
mated; mating

Definition of mate (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

1 archaic : equal, match

2 : to join or fit together : couple

3a : to join together as mates

b : to provide a mate for

intransitive verb

1 : to become mated gears that mate well

2 : copulate

maté

noun (3)
ma·​té | \ˈmä-ˌtā \
variants: or mate

Definition of maté (Entry 5 of 5)

1 : a tealike beverage drunk especially in South America

2 : a South American shrub or tree (Ilex paraguariensis) of the holly family whose leaves and shoots are used in making maté also : these leaves and shoots

First Known Use of mate

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (2)

1509, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (3)

1758, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for mate

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French mater, from mat, noun, checkmate, ultimately from Arabic māt (in shāh māt)

Noun (2)

Middle English, probably from Middle Low German māt; akin to Old English gemetta guest at one's table, mete food — more at meat

Noun (3)

French & American Spanish; French maté, from American Spanish mate maté, vessel for drinking it, from Quechua mati vessel

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

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More Definitions for mate

mate

noun
\ˈmāt \

Kids Definition of mate

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : companion sense 1, comrade

2 chiefly British : chum entry 1, friend

Hint: British speakers often use mate as a familiar form of address.
  • Good night, mate!

3 : either member of a breeding pair of animals

4 : an officer on a ship used to carry passengers or freight who ranks below the captain

5 : either member of a married couple

6 : either of two objects that go together I lost the mate to this glove.

mate

verb
mated; mating

Kids Definition of mate (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to join as married partners

2 : to come or bring together for breeding These birds mate for life.

mate

verb
mated; mating

Medical Definition of mate 

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to pair or join for breeding

intransitive verb

: copulate

maté

noun
ma·​té
variants: or mate \ ˈmä-​ˌtā \

Medical Definition of maté (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an aromatic beverage used chiefly in South America and especially in Paraguay that has stimulant properties like those of coffee

2 : a South American holly (Ilex paraguayensis) whose leaves and shoots are used in making maté also : these leaves and shoots

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More from Merriam-Webster on mate

See words that rhyme with mate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mate

Spanish Central: Translation of mate

Nglish: Translation of mate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mate for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mate

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