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Entry 14 senses · 7 variants Webster, 1913

Mate

/(mä"tā̇)/ · Ma·te · IPA /[meɪt]/
01 n. The Paraguay tea, being the dried leaf of the Brazilian holly (Ilex Paraguensis). The infusion has a pleasant odor, with an agreeable bitt…
  1. 1.
    The Paraguay tea, being the dried leaf of the Brazilian holly (Ilex Paraguensis). The infusion has a pleasant odor, with an agreeable bitter taste, and is much used for tea in South America.
02 n. Same as Checkmate.
  1. 1.
    Same as Checkmate.(Chess) See: Checkmate
03 a. See 2d Mat.
  1. 1.
    See 2d Mat.[Obs.] See: Mat
04 v. t. To confuse; to confound.
  1. 1.
    To confuse; to confound.[Obs.]
  2. 2.
    To checkmate.
05 n. One who customarily associates with another; a companion; an associate; any object which is associated or combined with a similar object.
  1. 1.
    One who customarily associates with another; a companion; an associate; any object which is associated or combined with a similar object.
  2. 2.
    Hence, specifically, a husband or wife; and among the lower animals, one of a pair associated for propagation and the care of their young.
  3. 3.
    A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
    “Ye knew me once no mate For you; there sitting where you durst not soar.” — Milton.
  4. 4.
    An officer in a merchant vessel ranking next below the captain. If there are more than one bearing the title, they are called, respectively, first mate, second mate, third mate, etc. In the navy, a subordinate officer or assistant; as, master's mate; surgeon's mate.(Naut.)
06 v. t. To match; to marry.
imp. & p. p. Mated; p. pr. & vb. n. Mating
  1. 1.
    To match; to marry.
    “If she be mated with an equal husband.” — Shak.
  2. 2.
    To match one's self against; to oppose as equal; to compete with.
    “There is no passion in the mind of man so weak but it mates and masters the fear of death.” — Bacon.
    “I, . . . in the way of loyalty and truth, . . . Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be.” — Shak.
  3. 3.
    To breed; to bring (animals) together for the purpose of breeding; as, she mated a doberman with a German shepherd.
  4. 4.
    To join together; to fit together; to connect; to link; as, he mated a saw blade to a broom handle to cut inaccessible branches.
07 v. i. To be or become a mate or mates, especially in sexual companionship; as, some birds mate for life; this bird will not mate with that one.
  1. 1.
    To be or become a mate or mates, especially in sexual companionship; as, some birds mate for life; this bird will not mate with that one.