classmate
UK[ˈklɑːs.meɪt]US[ˈklæs.meɪt]
n
a person who is or was in the same class as you at school or college
Morpheme Breakdown
class
mate
class
group
mate
companion
Etymology
The word 'classmate' is a transparent compound formed within Modern English. Its first element, 'class', originates from Latin classis, which initially referred to a summoning of citizens for military service, later evolving to denote a division or rank. The second element, 'mate', traces back to Middle Low German māt (food, messmate), entering English via Middle Dutch and conveying the sense of a companion who shares something. The compound logically combines these notions to specify a companion who shares the specific group or division of a school class, a concept that solidified with the standardization of graded educational systems.
Analysis
Structure: class (group) + mate (companion)
- class: From Latin classis, meaning a division or group of citizens. In this word, it functions as a noun root specifying the group.
- mate: From Middle Low German māt, meaning companion. In this word, it functions as a noun root meaning partner or associate.
Examples
I ran into an old classmate from high school at the supermarket.
She collaborated with her classmate on the science project.
The reunion was a great chance to catch up with former classmates.