Mate
/meɪt/noun
A companion, friend, or partner; also used for a spouse or sexual partner in some contexts.
Did you know?The English word *mate* is tied to old Germanic ideas of sharing food and company, not to the unrelated South American *mate* drink or the chess term *checkmate*.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*mētijaz
“a companion, one who shares with another”
Old English
OE
gemǣta
“a companion, fellow, mate”
Middle English
ME
mate
“a companion or partner”
16th Century
English
mate
“a fellow, comrade, or spouse”
Modern English
English
mate
“a companion, friend, partner, or spouse”