3. A suitable companion; a match; an equal. Ye knew me once no mate For you; there sitting where you durst not soar. Milton.
4. (Naut.)
Defn: An officer in a merchant vessel ranking next below the captain. If there are more than one bearing the title, they are called, respectively, first mate, second mate, third mate, etc. In the navy, a subordinate officer or assistant; as, master's mate; surgeon's mate.
MATE
Mate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mated; p. pr. & vb. n. Mating.]
1. To match; to marry. If she be mated with an equal husband. Shak.
2. To match one's self against; to oppose as equal; to compete with. There is no passion in the mind of man so weak but it mates and masters the fear of death. Bacon. I, . . . in the way of loyalty and truth, . . . Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be. Shak.
MATE
Mate, v. i.
Defn: To be or become a mate or mates, especially in sexual companionship; as, some birds mate for life; this bird will not mate with that one.
MATELASSE Mate`las`sé", a. [F., p.p. of matelasser to cushion, to cover as with a mattress, fr. matelas mattress. See Mattress.]
Defn: Ornamented by means of an imitation or suggestion of quilting, the surface being marked by depressed lines which form squares or lozenges in relief; as, matelassé silks.