Search results for 'mate':

mate¹ noun 1 an animal's breeding partner. 2 colloq a person's sexual partner, especially a husband or wife. 3 a colloq a companion or friend, especially one of one's own sex; b used as a form of address, especially to a man • alright, mate. 4 in compounds a colleague; a person someone shares something with • workmate • flatmate. 5 a tradesman's assistant • plumber's mate. 6 one of a pair. 7 naut any officer below the rank of master on a merchant ship • first mate. verb (mated, mating) 1 intrans said of animals: to copulate. 2 to bring (male and female animals) together for breeding. 3 tr & intr to marry. 4 to join (two things) as a pair. mateship noun, especially Austral the bond between close friends or mates.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: related to Anglo-Saxon gemetta a guest at one's table.

maté or mate noun (matés or 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.