/ma.te/
Translation
to subdue, to bring to heel, to quell
Word origin
From the chess term échec et mat ('checkmate'), which came through Arabic from the Persian phrase shah mat ('the king is helpless').
- Origin
- Persian
- Root
- shah mat
- English cognates
- checkmate
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | mate | matais | matai | materai | materais |
| tu | mates | matais | matas | materas | materais |
| il/elle | mate | matait | mata | matera | materait |
| nous | matons | mations | matâmes | materons | materions |
| vous | matez | matiez | matâtes | materez | materiez |
| ils/elles | matent | mataient | matèrent | materont | materaient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | mate | matasse |
| tu | mates | matasses |
| il/elle | mate | matât |
| nous | mations | matassions |
| vous | matiez | matassiez |
| ils/elles | matent | matassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | mate |
| nous | matons |
| vous | matez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- matant
- Past participle
- maté · matée · matés · matées
Examples
L' révolte .
The army put down the revolt in a few hours.
' .
That boy needs bringing to heel before he goes too far.
.
The boss keeps his staff in line through fear.
' .
They bring the dog to heel as soon as it bares its teeth.
.
We are finally getting on top of this old noise problem.
Where this fits
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mater: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "mater" (to subdue, to bring to heel, to quell): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 59.