mate¹ (māt)
n.

1. One of a matched pair: the mate to this glove.
2. A spouse.
3. 1. Either of a pair of animals or birds that associate in order to propagate.
   2. Either of a pair of animals brought together for breeding.
4. 1. A person with whom one is in close association; an associate.
   2. Chiefly British. A good friend or companion.
   3. A person with whom one shares living quarters. Often used in combination: advertised for a new flatmate.
5. A deck officer on a merchant ship ranking next below the master.
6. A U.S. Navy petty officer who is an assistant to a warrant officer.

v., mat·ed, mat·ing, mates.

v.tr.

1. To join closely; pair.
2. To unite in marriage.
3. To pair (animals) for breeding.

v.intr.

1. To become joined in marriage.
2. 1. To be paired for reproducing; breed.
   2. To copulate.

[Middle English, from Middle Low German gemate, mate, messmate.]

mate² (māt)
n.
A checkmate.

tr. & intr.v., mat·ed, mat·ing, mates.
To checkmate or achieve a checkmate.

[Middle English, from Old French mat, checkmated, from Arabic māt, he has died. See checkmate.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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