mate

(māt)

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.

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

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

(māt)

(mäˈtā, mä-tĕˈ)

1. A South American evergreen tree (Ilex paraguariensis) widely cultivated for its leaves, which are used to prepare a tealike beverage.
2. A tealike beverage, popular in South America, made from the dried leaves of this plant. Also called Paraguay tea, yerba maté.