mate

{{11}}mate (n.¹) "associate, fellow, comrade," mid-14c., also "companion" (late 14c.), from M.L.G. mate, gemate "one eating at the same table, messmate," from P.Gmc. *ga-maton "having food (*matiz) together (*ga-)," which is etymologically identical with COMPANION (Cf. companion). Cognate with Dan., Swed. mat, Ger. Maat "mate," Du. maat, from German. Meaning "one of a wedded pair" is attested from 1540s. Used as a form of address by sailors, laborers, etc., since at least mid-15c. Meaning "officer on a merchant vessel is from late 15c.

{{12}}mate (n.²) in chess, "a condition of checkmate," c.1300, mat, from M.Fr. mat, from O.Fr. mater (see MATE (Cf. mate) (v.²)).

{{12}}mate (v.¹) c.1500, "to equal, rival," 1590s as "to match, couple, marry, join in marriage," from MATE (Cf. mate) (n.¹). Also, of animals, "to pair for the purpose of breeding." Related: Mated; mating.

{{13}}mate (v.²) "checkmate," c.1300, from O.Fr. mater "to checkmate, defeat, overcome," from mat "checkmated" (see CHECKMATE (Cf. checkmate) (v.)).