Mate
Mate (ma"ta) , noun
[Sp.]
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.
Mate (māt) , noun
[French mat, abbrev. from échec et mat. See Checkmate.]
(Chess) Same as Checkmate.
Mate , adjective
Mate , transitive verb
[French mater to fatigue, enfeeble, humiliate, checkmate. See Mate checkmate.]
1.
To confuse; to confound. [Obsolete] — Shakespeare
2.
To checkmate.
Mate , noun
[Perhaps for older make a companion; compare also OD. maet companion, mate, Dutch maat. Compare Make a companion, Match a mate.]
1.
One who customarily associates with another; a companion; an associate; any object which is associated or combined with a similar object.
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.
A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
Ye knew me once no mate
For you; there sitting where you durst not soar.
4.
(Nautical) 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.
Mate , transitive verb
1.
To match; to marry.
If she be mated with an equal husband.
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.
I,... in the way of loyalty and truth,...
Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be.
3.
To breed; to bring (animals) together for the purpose of breeding; as, she mated a doberman with a German shepherd.
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.
Mate , intransitive verb
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.