Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Mate?

\Ma"te\, 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.
\Mate\, n. [F. mat, abbrev. fr. ['e]chec et mat. See {Checkmate}.] (Chess) Same as {Checkmate}.
\Mate\, a. See 2d {Mat}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
\Mate\, v. t. [F. mater to fatigue, enfeeble, humiliate, checkmate. See {Mate} checkmate.] 1. To confuse; to confound. [Obs.] --Shak. 2. To checkmate.
\Mate\, n. [Perhaps for older make a companion; cf. also OD. maet companion, mate, D. maat. Cf. {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. --Milton. 4. (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.
\Mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Mating}.] 1. To match; to marry. If she be mated with an equal husband. --Shak. 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.
\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.