associate

—associateship, n.

v. /euh soh"shee ayt', -see-/; n., adj., /euh soh"shee it, -ayt', -see-/, v., associated, associating, n., adj.

v.t.

1. to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc.: Many people associate dark clouds with depression and gloom.

2. to join as a companion, partner, or ally: to associate oneself with a cause.

3. to unite; combine: coal associated with shale.

v.i.

4. to enter into union; unite.

5. to keep company, as a friend, companion, or ally: He was accused of associating with known criminals.

6. to join together as partners or colleagues.

n.

7. a person who shares actively in anything as a business, enterprise, or undertaking; partner; colleague; fellow worker: He consulted with his associates before proceeding further.

8. a companion or comrade: my most intimate associates.

9. a confederate; an accomplice or ally: criminal associates.

10. anything usually accompanying or associated with another; an accompaniment or concomitant.

11. a person who is admitted to a subordinate degree of membership in an association or institution: an associate of the Royal Academy.

adj.

12. connected, joined, or related, esp. as a companion or colleague; having equal or nearly equal responsibility: an associate partner.

13. having subordinate status; without full rights and privileges: an associate member.

14. allied; concomitant.

[1400-50; late ME < L associatus joined to, united with (ptp. of associare), equiv. to as- AS- + soci- (see SOCIAL) + -atus -ATE¹; cf. AF associer (v.), associé (n.)]

Syn. 1. link. 7, 8. See acquaintance.

Ant. 1. dissociate. 7-9. adversary.

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