mate1

noun

• 1each of a pair of birds or other animals:a male bird sings to court a mate
• informal a person’s husband, wife, or other sexual partner.
• informal one of a matched pair:a sock without its mate

• 2 [in combination] a fellow member or joint occupant of a specified thing:his tablemates
• British informal used as a friendly form of address between men or boys:“See you then, mate.”
• British informal a friend or companion:I was with a mate my best mate, Steve

• 3an assistant or deputy, in particular.
• an assistant to a skilled worker:a plumber’s mate
• a deck officer on a merchant ship subordinate to the master. See also first mate.

verb

• 1 [no object] (of animals or birds) come together for breeding; copulate:successful males may mate with many females
• [with object] bring (animals or birds) together for breeding.
• join in marriage or sexual partnership:people tend to mate with others in their own social class

• 2connect or be connected mechanically: [with object]a four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed gearbox