Bate vs. Mate: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on May 22, 2024
Bate means to reduce the force or intensity, while mate refers to a companion or partner.
Key Differences
Bate is often used to describe the act of diminishing something. For instance, "bate one's breath" means to lessen one's breath, usually due to excitement or anxiety. On the other hand, mate is commonly used to describe a friend, spouse, or partner. In British English, it is often synonymous with "friend," whereas in the context of animals, it refers to a breeding partner.
Bate can also be used in a more archaic sense, meaning to lessen or restrain something, typically emotions. In contrast, mate is also used in nautical contexts to describe an officer on a ship, such as a first mate, who assists the captain.
Bate, as a verb, is less common in everyday usage and is typically found in more formal or literary contexts. Meanwhile, mate is widely used in everyday language, especially in informal settings, to refer to someone with whom one has a bond or relationship.
Bate has roots in Middle English, derived from the Old French word "batre," meaning to beat. Conversely, mate originates from the Middle Low German word "māte," meaning a fellow or companion, showing its historical roots in companionship and partnership.
Bate also appears in phrases like "with bated breath," indicating a state of suspense or anticipation. Mate, however, appears in phrases such as "mate for life," highlighting a long-term companionship, typically in the context of animal behavior.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
To reduce force or intensity
Companion or partner
Usage
Formal or literary contexts
Informal settings, everyday language
Origin
Middle English from Old French
Middle Low German
Common Phrases
"With bated breath"
"Mate for life"
Additional Meanings
Restrain emotions
Ship officer (nautical)
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Bate and Mate Definitions
Bate
To reduce in force or intensity.
She bated her excitement to avoid appearing too eager.
Mate
An officer on a ship.
The first mate assisted the captain during the voyage.
Bate
To lessen or diminish something.
He had to bate his expectations to avoid disappointment.
Mate
One of a matched pair
The mate to this glove.
Bate
To hold back or restrain.
She bated her breath as she waited for the announcement.
Mate
A spouse or romantic partner.
Bate
(Archaic) To subtract or remove.
The shopkeeper bated the cost of the damaged goods.
Mate
Either of a pair of birds or other animals that associate in order to propagate.
Bate
To lessen the force or intensity of; moderate
"To his dying day he bated his breath a little when he told the story" (George Eliot). See Usage Note at bait1.
Mate
Either of a pair of animals brought together for breeding.
Bate
To take away; subtract.
Mate
Either of a pair of plants, fungi, or other organisms that engage in sexual reproduction or conjugation with each other.
Bate
To flap the wings wildly or frantically. Used of a falcon.
Mate
A person with whom one is in close association; an associate.
Bate
(transitive) To reduce the force of something; to abate.
Mate
Chiefly British A good friend or companion.
Bate
(transitive) To restrain, usually with the sense of being in anticipation
Mate
A person with whom one shares living quarters. Often used in combination
Advertised for a new flatmate.
Bate
To cut off, remove, take away.
Mate
A deck officer on a merchant ship ranking next below the master.
Bate
To leave out, except, bar.
Mate
A US Navy petty officer who is an assistant to a warrant officer.
Bate
To waste away.
Mate
A checkmate.
Bate
To deprive of.
Mate
An evergreen shrub or small tree (Ilex paraguariensis) of South America, widely cultivated for its leaves, which are used to prepare a tealike beverage.
Bate
To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower.
Mate
A tealike beverage, popular in South America, made from the dried leaves of this plant.Also called Paraguay tea, yerba mate.
Bate
To allow by way of abatement or deduction.
Mate
An oval or rounded container or cup, traditionally made from a hollow calabash, in which this tea is prepared and served.
Bate
(intransitive) To contend or strive with blows or arguments.
Mate
To join closely or combine
An engine that is mated to a four-speed transmission.
Bate
Of a falcon: To flap the wings vigorously; to bait.
Mate
To cause to be united in marriage or a romantic sexual relationship.
Bate
(transitive) To soak leather so as to remove chemicals used in tanning; to steep in bate.
Mate
To cause (organisms) to breed or bring (organisms) into close proximity for breeding.
Bate
; = beat.
Mate
To become joined in marriage or a romantic sexual relationship.
Bate
To masturbate.
Mate
To be paired for reproducing; breed.
Bate
Strife; contention.
Mate
To engage in sexual reproduction or conjugation.
Bate
An alkaline lye which neutralizes the effect of the previous application of lime, and makes hides supple in the process of tanning.
Mate
To checkmate or achieve a checkmate.
Bate
A vat which contains this liquid.
Mate
A fellow, comrade, colleague, partner or someone with whom something is shared, e.g. shipmate, classmate.
Bate
Strife; contention.
Mate
(especially of a non-human animal) A breeding partner.
Bate
See 2d Bath.
Mate
A friend, usually of the same sex.
I'm going to the pub with a few mates.
He's my best mate.
Bate
An alkaline solution consisting of the dung of certain animals; - employed in the preparation of hides; grainer.
Mate
Friendly term of address to a stranger, usually male, of similar age.
Excuse me, mate, have you got the time?
Bate
To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower.
He must either bate the laborer's wages, or not employ or not pay him.
Mate
(nautical) In naval ranks, a non-commissioned officer or his subordinate (e.g. Boatswain's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Sailmaker's Mate, etc).
Bate
To allow by way of abatement or deduction.
To whom he bates nothing of what he stood upon with the parliament.
Mate
(nautical) A ship's officer, subordinate to the master on a commercial ship.
Bate
To leave out; to except.
Bate me the king, and, be he flesh and blood,He lies that says it.
Mate
(nautical) A first mate.
Bate
To remove.
About autumn bate the earth from about the roots of olives, and lay them bare.
Mate
A technical assistant in certain trades (e.g. gasfitter's mate, plumber's mate); sometimes an apprentice.
Bate
To deprive of.
When baseness is exalted, do not bateThe place its honor for the person's sake.
Mate
The other member of a matched pair of objects.
I found one of the socks I wanted to wear, but I couldn't find its mate.
Bate
To remit or retrench a part; - with of.
Abate thy speed, and I will bate of mine.
Mate
A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
Bate
To waste away.
Mate
(chess) checkmate
Bate
To attack; to bait.
Mate
Senseid|en|drink}} {{alternative spelling of maté, an aromatic tea-like drink prepared from the holly yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis).
Bate
To flutter as a hawk; to bait.
Mate
The abovementioned plant; the leaves and shoots used for the tea
Bate
To steep in bate, as hides, in the manufacture of leather.
Mate
(intransitive) To match, fit together without space between.
The pieces of the puzzle mate perfectly.
Bate
Moderate or restrain; lessen the force of;
He bated his breath when talking about this affair
Capable of bating his enthusiasm
Mate
(intransitive) To copulate.
Bate
Flap the wings wildly or frantically; used of falcons
Mate
(intransitive) To pair in order to raise offspring.
Bate
Soak in a special solution to soften and remove chemicals used in previous treatments;
Bate hides and skins
Mate
(transitive) To arrange in matched pairs.
Bate
To lower or moderate.
He bated his anger before speaking.
Mate
(transitive) To introduce (animals) together for the purpose of breeding.
Mate
To copulate with.
Mate
(transitive) To marry; to match (a person).
Mate
To match oneself against; to oppose as equal; to compete with.
Mate
(transitive) To fit (objects) together without space between.
Mate
(intransitive) To come together as companions, comrades, partners, etc.
Mate
To move (a space shuttle orbiter) onto the back of an aircraft that can carry it.
Mate
(chess) checkmate
Mate
(obsolete) To confuse; to confound.
Mate
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
Same as Checkmate.
Mate
One who customarily associates with another; a companion; an associate; any object which is associated or combined with a similar object.
Mate
Hence, specifically, a husband or wife; and among the lower animals, one of a pair associated for propagation and the care of their young.
Mate
A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
Ye knew me once no mateFor you; there sitting where you durst not soar.
Mate
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
See 2d Mat.
Mate
To confuse; to confound.
Mate
To checkmate.
Mate
To match; to marry.
If she be mated with an equal husband.
Mate
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.
I, . . . in the way of loyalty and truth, . . .Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be.
Mate
To breed; to bring (animals) together for the purpose of breeding; as, she mated a doberman with a German shepherd.
Mate
To join together; to fit together; to connect; to link; as, he mated a saw blade to a broom handle to cut inaccessible branches.
Mate
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.
Mate
The officer below the master on a commercial ship
Mate
A fellow member of a team;
It was his first start against his former teammates
Mate
The partner of an animal (especially a sexual partner);
He loved the mare and all her mates
Camels hate leaving their mates
Mate
A person's partner in marriage
Mate
An exact duplicate;
When a match is found an entry is made in the notebook
Mate
South American holly; leaves used in making a drink like tea
Mate
Informal term for a friend of the same sex
Mate
South American tea-like drink made from leaves of a South American holly called mate
Mate
A chess move constituting an inescapable and indefensible attack on the opponent's king
Mate
Make love;
Birds mate in the Spring
Mate
Bring two objects, ideas, or people together;
This fact is coupled to the other one
Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project
Mate
Place an opponent's king under an attack from which it cannot escape and thus ending the game;
Kasparov checkmated his opponent after only a few moves
Mate
A companion or friend.
He is my best mate, and we do everything together.
Mate
A spouse or life partner.
She found her perfect mate in college.
Mate
A breeding partner (animals).
Penguins often mate for life.
Mate
A colleague or fellow worker.
His work mates threw him a surprise party.
FAQs
What is the origin of "bate"?
Bate comes from Middle English, derived from the Old French "batre."
How is "bate" used in a sentence?
E.g., She bated her breath during the suspenseful moment.
What does "bate" mean?
Bate means to reduce the force, intensity, or amount of something.
What is a common phrase using "bate"?
"With bated breath" is a common phrase meaning to wait in suspense.
What does "mate" mean in British English?
In British English, "mate" often means a friend.
Is "bate" an archaic term?
It can be considered archaic in some contexts, especially when meaning to subtract or remove.
Can "bate" be used in everyday conversation?
It's less common in everyday conversation and is typically found in formal or literary contexts.
What is a common phrase using "mate"?
"Mate for life" is a phrase often used in the context of animal behavior.
How is "mate" used in a sentence?
E.g., He is my best mate, and we do everything together.
Can "mate" refer to a spouse?
Yes, "mate" can refer to a spouse or life partner.
What context is "mate" commonly used in?
Informal settings and everyday language.
Does "bate" appear in any idiomatic expressions?
Yes, "with bated breath" is an idiomatic expression.
Can "mate" be used to refer to work relationships?
Yes, it can refer to colleagues or workmates.
What is the nautical meaning of "mate"?
In nautical terms, a mate is an officer on a ship who assists the captain.
Does "mate" have animal-related meanings?
Yes, it refers to an animal's breeding partner.
What is the origin of "mate"?
Mate originates from the Middle Low German word "māte," meaning a fellow or companion.
Can "mate" mean colleague?
Yes, "mate" can also mean a colleague or fellow worker.
Is "bate" used to describe emotions?
Yes, it can describe restraining or holding back emotions.
What is the less common usage of "bate"?
To hold back or restrain emotions.
What other meanings does "mate" have?
Besides a friend, it can mean a spouse, breeding partner, colleague, or ship officer.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
