Friends or companions; can also mean people working together toward a common goal.
From Middle Low German 'mate,' possibly related to Old Slavic words for 'mother' or 'meal.' In maritime tradition, 'mate' referred to a messmate—someone you shared meals with on a ship.
The word 'mate' likely comes from medieval ship life, where a 'messmate' was someone who shared your meals and hammock space at sea—showing how the closest friendships form when people literally depend on each other for survival and comfort.
British/Australian informal for friends or colleagues; culturally male-coded in group contexts, especially historically in male-dominated settings (sailing, military, trades).
Use 'colleagues,' 'friends,' or 'teammates' to avoid assumed gender homogeneity.
["colleagues","teammates","friends","partners","crew"]
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