amate

¹

[ uh-meyt ]

verb (used with object)

, Archaic.

, a·mat·ed, a·mat·ing.

1. to dismay; daunt.

amate

²

[ uh-meyt ]

verb (used with object)

, Obsolete.

, a·mat·ed, a·mat·ing.

1. to be a mate to.

Word History and Origins

Origin of amate¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French amatir, equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + matir to subdue, derivative of mat subdued, dull. See mat ³

Origin of amate²

First recorded in 1590–1600; a- ¹ + mate ¹