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Webster 1913 Edition


Mate


Ma′te

(mä′tā̍)
,
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.
[F.
mat
, abbrev. fr. échec et
mat
. See
Checkmate
.]
(Chess)
Same as
Checkmate
.

Mate

,
Adj.
See 2d
Mat
.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Mate

,
Verb.
T.
[F.
mater
to fatigue, enfeeble, humiliate, checkmate. See
Mate
checkmate.]
1.
To confuse; to confound.
[Obs.]
Shak.
2.
To checkmate.

Mate

,
Noun.
[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

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Mated
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Mating
.]
1.
To match; to marry.
If she be
mated
with an equal husband.
Shakespeare
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.
Shakespeare

Mate

,
Verb.
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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Mate

MATE

, n.
1.
A companion; an associate; one who customarily associates with another. Young persons nearly of an age, and frequently associating, are called mates or playmates.
2.
A husband or wife.
3.
The male or female of animals which associate for propagation and the care of their young.
4.
One that eats at the same table.
5.
One that attends the same school; a school-mate.
6.
An officer in a merchant ship or ship of war, whose duty is to assist the master or commander. In a merchant ship, the mate,in the absence of the master, takes command of the ship. Large ships have a first, second, and third mate.
In general, mate, in compound words, denotes an assistant, and ranks next in subordination to the principal; as master's mate; surgeon's mate, &c.

MATE

,
Noun.
In chess, the state of the king so situated that he cannot escape.

MATE

,
Verb.
T.
To match; to marry.
1.
To equal; to be equal to.
For thus the mastful chestnut mates the skies.
2.
To oppose; to equal.
--I i' th' way of loyalty and truth,
Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be.

MATE

,
Verb.
T.
To enervate; to subdue; to crush.
Audacity doth almost bind and mate the weaker sort of minds. [Not used.]

Definition 2024


matė

matė

See also: Appendix:Variations of "mate"