n. 1. A companion; one frequently in company with another, implying intimacy or equality; a mate; a fellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A partner in interest, as in business; or a confederate in a league. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One connected with an association or institution without the full rights or privileges of a regular member; as, an associate of the Royal Academy. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Anything closely or usually connected with another; an concomitant. [ 1913 Webster ]

The one [ idea ] no sooner comes into the understanding, than its associate appears with it. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Companion; mate; fellow; friend; ally; partner; coadjutor; comrade; accomplice. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To unite in company; to keep company, implying intimacy; as, congenial minds are disposed to associate. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To unite in action, or to be affected by the action of a different part of the body. E. Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Associated p. pr. & vb. n. Associating ] [ L. associatus, p. p. of associare; ad + sociare to join or unite, socius companion. See Social. ] 1. To join with one, as a friend, companion, partner, or confederate; as, to associate others with us in business, or in an enterprise. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To join or connect; to combine in acting; as, particles of gold associated with other substances. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To connect or place together in thought. [ 1913 Webster ]

He succeeded in associating his name inseparably with some names which will last as long as our language. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To accompany; to keep company with. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Friends should associate friends in grief and woe. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. associatus, p. p. ] 1. Closely connected or joined with some other, as in interest, purpose, employment, or office; sharing responsibility or authority; as, an associate judge. [ 1913 Webster ]

While I descend . . . to my associate powers. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Admitted to some, but not to all, rights and privileges; as, an associate member. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Physiol.) Connected by habit or sympathy; as, associate motions, such as occur sympathetically, in consequence of preceding motions. E. Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Joined as a companion; brought into association; accompanying; combined. [ 1913 Webster ]

Associated movements (Physiol.), consensual movements which accompany voluntary efforts without our consciousness. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. an associate degree conferred for successful studies in applied science.
Syn. -- AAS [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. a college degree granted for successful completion of a two-year course of study in arts or general topics.
Syn. -- AA [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The state of an associate, as in Academy or an office. [ 1913 Webster ]