mate mate /ˈmeɪt/

noun

1. () The officer below the master on a commercial ship  ( first mate , mate )
   the officer below the master on a commercial ship
     The sailor greeted his shipmate with a warm smile as they prepared for their journey.
   The sailor greeted his shipmate with a warm smile as they prepared for their journey.
   
2. () The partner of an animal (especially a sexual partner)  ( mate )
   the partner of an animal (especially a sexual partner)
    He loved the mare and all her mates
   he loved the mare and all her mates
    Camels hate leaving their mates
   camels hate leaving their mates
   
   
3. () A fellow member of a team  ( mate , teammate )
   a fellow member of a team
    It was his first start against his former teammates
   it was his first start against his former teammates
   
4. () An exact duplicate  ( match , mate )
   an exact duplicate
    When a match is found an entry is made in the notebook
   when a match is found an entry is made in the notebook
   
5. () [Informal] A person's partner in marriage  ( better half [Informal] , married person , other half [Informal, British] , mate [Informal] , partner , spouse )
   a person's partner in marriage
    My partner and I enjoy hiking and camping together
   My partner and I enjoy hiking and camping together
   
   
6. A chess move constituting an inescapable and indefensible attack on the opponent's king  ( checkmate , mate )
   a chess move constituting an inescapable and indefensible attack on the opponent's king
   
   
7. South American tea-like drink made from leaves of a South American holly called mate  ( mate )
   South American tea-like drink made from leaves of a South American holly called mate
    Every morning, Juan enjoys a cup of mate before starting his day.
   Every morning, Juan enjoys a cup of mate before starting his day.
   
   
8. Informal term for a friend of the same sex  ( mate )
   informal term for a friend of the same sex
    Hey mate, it's been a while! How have you been?
   Hey mate, it's been a while! How have you been?
   
   
9. South American holly; leaves used in making a drink like tea  ( Ilex paraguariensis , mate , Paraguay tea )
   South American holly; leaves used in making a drink like tea
   
10. One of a pair  ( fellow , mate )
    one of a pair
     He lost the mate to his shoe
    he lost the mate to his shoe
     One eye was blue but its fellow was brown
    one eye was blue but its fellow was brown
    

verb

1. () Engage in sexual intercourse  ( copulate , couple , pair , mate )
   engage in sexual intercourse
    Birds mate in the Spring
   Birds mate in the Spring
   
2. () Bring two objects, ideas, or people together  ( twin , mate , pair , couple , match )
   bring two objects, ideas, or people together
    This fact is coupled to the other one
   This fact is coupled to the other one
    Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
   Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
    The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project
   The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project
   
3. (chess) place an opponent's king under an attack from which it cannot escape and thus ending the game  ( checkmate , mate )
   (chess) place an opponent's king under an attack from which it cannot escape and thus ending the game
    Kasparov checkmated his opponent after only a few moves
   Kasparov checkmated his opponent after only a few moves