Friends or companions, especially children, who play together.
From 'play' (from Old English 'plegian' meaning to exercise or frolic) combined with 'mate' (from Middle Dutch 'mate' meaning 'messmate' or 'companion'). A straightforward compound meaning companions in play.
Your childhood playmates shape your social brain more than anyone else in your life—researchers found that kids who played together developed better conflict resolution, empathy, and creativity than kids who didn't have friends to play with.
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