Mate
Pronunciation
- IPA: /meɪt/
- Rhymes: -eɪt
Origin 1
From Middle English, from Middle Low German mate ("messmate") (replacing Middle English mette from Old English ġemetta ("sharer of food, table-guest")), derived from Proto-Germanic *gamatjô, itself from Proto-Germanic *ga- ("together") (related to German and Dutch ge-) + Proto-Germanic *matjô (from Proto-Germanic *matiz ("food")), related to Old English mete ("food")). More at co-, meat.
Full definition of mate
Noun
mate
(plural mates)- A fellow, comrade, colleague, partner or someone with whom something is shared, e.g. shipmate, classmate.
- (especially of a non-human animal) A breeding partner.
- (colloquial, British, Australia, New Zealand) A friend, usually of the same sex.I'm going to the pub with a few mates.He's my best mate.
- (colloquial, British, Australia, New Zealand) a colloquial "sir"; an informal and friendly term of address to a stranger, usually maleExcuse me, mate, have you got the time?
- (nautical) In naval ranks, a non-commissioned officer or his subordinate (e.g. Boatswain's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Sailmaker's Mate, etc).
- (nautical) A ship's officer, subordinate to the master on a commercial ship.
- (nautical) A first mate.
- A technical assistant in certain trades (e.g. gasfitter's mate, plumber's mate); sometimes an apprentice.
- The other member of a matched pair of objects.''I found one of the socks I wanted to wear, but I couldn't find its mate.
- A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
- MiltonYe knew me once no mate
For you; there sitting where you durst not soar.
Derived terms
Verb
- (intransitive) To match, fit together without space between.The pieces of the puzzle mate perfectly.
- (intransitive) To copulate.
- (intransitive) To pair in order to raise offspring
- (transitive) To arrange in matched pairs.
- (transitive) To introduce (animals) together for the purpose of breeding.
- (transitive) To marry; to match (a person).
- ShakespeareIf she be mated with an equal husband.
- (transitive) To match oneself against; to oppose as equal; to compete with.
- Francis BaconThere is no passion in the mind of man so weak but it mates and masters the fear of death.
- ShakespeareI, ... in the way of loyalty and truth, ...
Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be. - (transitive) To fit (objects) together without space between.
- (transitive, aerospace) To move (a space shuttle orbiter) onto the back of an aircraft that can carry it.
Antonyms
- (aerospace) demate
Derived terms
Origin 2
From Middle English verb maten, Middle French mater, from Old French noun mat ("checkmate"), from Persian شاه مات.
Verb
Origin 3
See maté