Mate /(mä"tā̇)/

1. 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.

1. Same as Checkmate. (Chess)

1. See 2d Mat. [Obs.]

1. To confuse; to confound. [Obs.]
2. To checkmate.

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.

4. 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. (Naut.)

imp. & p. p. Mated; p. pr. & vb. n. Mating

1. To match; to marry.

   If she be mated with an equal husband.

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.

   I, . . . in the way of loyalty and truth, . . . Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be.

3. To breed; to bring (animals) together for the purpose of breeding; as, she mated a doberman with a German shepherd.
4. To join together; to fit together; to connect; to link; as, he mated a saw blade to a broom handle to cut inaccessible branches.

1. 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.