Mate | Date | Shovel

Definition of mate
noun

1the sexual partner of a bird or other animal: a male bird sings to court a mate
informal a person’s husband, wife, or other sexual partner: he couldn’t satisfy his frisky young mate
informal one of a matched pair: a sock without its mate

2 [in combination] a fellow member or joint occupant of a specified thing: his table-mates

3British informal a friend or companion: my best mate Steve
used as a friendly form of address between men or boys: ‘See you then, mate.’

4chiefly British an assistant or deputy in certain trades: a plumber’s mate
an officer on a merchant ship subordinate to the master. See also first mate.

Verb

1 [no object] (of animals or birds) come together for breeding; copulate: successful males may mate with many females (as noun mating) ovulation occurs only if mating has taken place
[with object] bring (animals) together for breeding: a male is mated to several females

2connect or be connected mechanically: [with object]: a four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed gearbox