Definition of: associate

(ə·sō′shē·it, -āt) noun
1. A companion; one who is habitually or frequently in the company or society of another.
2. A partner; one who is connected with another, as in some business, act, interest, office, or position.
3. Anything that habitually or frequently accompanies or is associated with something else; a concomitant.
4. One admitted to partial membership in an association, society, or institution.
5. In some educational institutions, one who has finished a course shorter than that set for a degree: an associate in arts.
—adjective
1. Joined with another or others; united; allied; existing or occurring together; concomitant.
2. Having subordinate or secondary status or privileges: an associate professor; also, entitled to a limited or specified participation, as in rights, privileges, and functions: an associate member of a society.
—v. (ə·sō′shē·āt) ·at·ed, ·at·ing v.t.
1. To bring into company or relation; combine together.
2. To unite (oneself) with another or others, as in friendship or partnership.
3. To connect mentally: to associate poetry with madness.
—v.i.
4. To join or be in company or relation: with with: She associates chiefly with musicians.
5. To unite, as nations in a league; combine. See synonyms under ATTRIBUTE, MIX, UNITE. [<L associatus, pp. of associare join to <ad- to + sociare join <socius ally] Synonyms (noun): ally, chum, coadjutor, colleague, companion, comrade, consort, fellow, friend, helpmate, mate, partner, peer. An associate, as used officially, implies a chief, leader, or principal, to whom the associate is not fully equal in rank. Associate is popularly used for mere friendly relations, but oftener implies some work, enterprise, or pursuit in which the associated persons unite. We rarely speak of associates in crime or wrong, using confederates or accomplices instead. Companion gives itself with equal readiness to the good or the evil sense. Peer implies equality rather than companionship; as, a jury of his peers. Comrade expresses more fellowship and good feeling than companion. Consort is a word of equality and dignity, as applied especially to the marriage relation. Compare ACCESSORY, ACQUAINTANCE, FRIENDSHIP. Antonyms: antagonist, enemy, foe, hinderer, opponent, opposer, rival, stranger.