mate
/meɪt/ noun B2- A fellow, comrade, colleague, partner or someone with whom something is shared, e.g. shipmate, classmate.
- A breeding partner.
- In naval ranks, a non-commissioned officer or his subordinate (e.g. Boatswain's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Sailmaker's Mate, etc).
- A ship's officer, subordinate to the master on a commercial ship.
- A first mate.
- A technical assistant in certain trades (e.g. gasfitter's mate, plumber's mate); sometimes an apprentice.
- The other member of a matched pair of objects. · I found one of the socks I wanted to wear, but I couldn't find its mate.
- A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
Plural mates
From the library
“As to taking command of the vessel,” replied Morrel, “that was his duty as captain’s mate; as to losing a day and a half off the Island of Elba, he was wrong, unless the vessel needed repairs.”
But I told him I was only mate, and that she belonged to the firm of Morrel & Son.
“Captain or mate, M.
One of their company, an old man, said, “Let us cease lamenting, my mates, for, as it seems to me, sorrow is always the twin sister of joy; and it was only to be looked for that we, who just now were over-rejoiced, should next have something to make us sad.”
Other matches
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