mates

mate ¹  (mt)

n.

1. One of a matched pair: the mate to this glove.

2. A spouse.

3.

a. Either of a pair of animals or birds that associate in order to propagate.

b. Either of a pair of animals brought together for breeding.

4.

a. A person with whom one is in close association; an associate.

b. Chiefly British A good friend or companion.

c. 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.

a. To be paired for reproducing; breed.

b. To copulate.

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

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mate ²  (mt)

n.

A checkmate.

tr. & intr.v. mat·ed, mat·ing, mates

To checkmate or achieve a checkmate.

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[Middle English, from Old French mat, checkmated, from Arabic mt, he has died; see checkmate.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

mates - a pair of people who live together; "a married couple from Chicago" couple, match family unit, family - primary social group; parents and children; "he wanted to have a good job before starting a family" power couple - a couple both of whom have high-powered careers or are politically influential DINK - a couple who both have careers and no children (an acronym for dual income no kids)