~ 1
■ noun
1》 Brit. informal a friend or companion.
2》 [in combination ] a fellow member or joint occupant: his table-~s.
3》 the sexual partner of a bird or other animal.
4》 chiefly Brit. an assistant or deputy in some trades: a plumber's ~.
5》 an officer on a merchant ship subordinate to the master. See also first ~ .
■ verb
1》 (with reference to animals or birds) come or bring together for breeding; copulate.
2》 join or connect mechanically.
Derivatives
~less adjective
Origin
ME: from Mid. Low Ger. māt(e) 'comrade', of W. Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun & verb Chess short for check~ .
Origin
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. mat , from the phr. eschec mat (see check~ ), and Anglo-Norman Fr. ~r 'to check~'.