MATING

coupling, mating, pairing, conjugation, union, sexual union

(noun) the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes; “the casual couplings of adolescents”; “the mating of some species occurs only in the spring”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Adjective

mating (not comparable)

Fitting into or onto a corresponding part, as a matched plug and socket.

Noun

mating (plural matings)

(zoology) Pairing of organisms for copulation.

(zoology) Sexual union; copulation.

Synonyms

• pairing

Verb

mating

present participle of mate

Anagrams

• taming

Source: Wiktionary


MATE

Ma"te, n. Etym: [Sp.]

Definition: The Paraguay tea, being the dried leaf of the Brazilian holly (Ilex Paraguensis). The infusion has a pleasant odor, with an agreeable bitter taste, and is much used for tea in South America.

Mate, n. Etym: [F. mat, abbrev. fr. échec et mat. See Checkmate.] (Chess)

Definition: Same as Checkmate.

Mate, a.

Definition: See 2d Mat. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Mate, v. t. Etym: [F. mater to fatigue, enfeeble, humiliate, checkmate. See Mate checkmate.]

1. To confuse; to confound. [Obs.] Shak.

2. To checkmate.

Mate, n. Etym: [Perhaps for older make a companion; cf. also OD. maet companion, mate, D. maat. Cf. Make a companion, Match a mate.]

1. One who customarily associates with another; a companion; an associate; any object which is associated or combined with a similar object.

2. Hence, specifically, a husband or wife; and among the lower animals, one of a pair associated for propagation and the care of their young.

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.)

Definition: 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, 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, v. i.

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

28 May 2025

AIR

(noun) a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing; “an air of mystery”; “the house had a neglected air”; “an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate’s headquarters”; “the place had an aura of romance”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.

coffee icon