noun
(countable and uncountable, nautical) The post of mate on a ship; a posting as mate.
(countable, whaling, obsolete) A type of contract between ships to cooperate and share the proceeds of an expedition.
(uncountable) Fellowship; companionship.
(uncountable, Australia, New Zealand) Friendship, particularly between men, such as develops in shared adversity; solidarity.
(countable, zoology, psychology, anthropology) A relationship based on mating.