GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 7 definitions

1.       
   ‖Mate , n. [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.
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2.       
   Mate , n. [F. mat, abbrev. fr. échec et mat. See Checkmate.] (Chess) Same as Checkmate.
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3.       
   Mate, a. See 2d Mat. [Obs.]
   Chaucer.
   
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4.       
   Mate, v. t. [F. mater to fatigue, enfeeble, humiliate, checkmate. See Mate checkmate.]
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   To confuse; to confound. [Obs.]
   Shak.
   
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   To checkmate.
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5.       
   Mate, n. [Perhaps for older make a companion; cf. also OD. maet companion, mate, D. maat. Cf. Make a companion, Match a mate.]
   One who customarily associates with another; a companion; an associate; any object which is associated or combined with a similar object.
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   Hence, specifically, a husband or wife; and among the lower animals, one of a pair associated for propagation and the care of their young.
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   A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
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   Ye knew me once no mate
   For you; there sitting where you durst not soar.
   Milton.
   
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   (Naut.) 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.
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6.       
   Mate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mated; p. pr. & vb. n. Mating.]
   To match; to marry.
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   If she be mated with an equal husband.
   Shak.
   
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   To match one's self against; to oppose as equal; to compete with.
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   There is no passion in the mind of man so weak but it mates and masters the fear of death.
   Bacon.
   
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   I, . . . in the way of loyalty and truth, . . .
   Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be.
   Shak.
   
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   To breed; to bring (animals) together for the purpose of breeding; as, she mated a doberman with a German shepherd.
   PJC
   To join together; to fit together; to connect; to link; as, he mated a saw blade to a broom handle to cut inaccessible branches.
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7.       
   Mate, 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.
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