Bondmates

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A pair or group of individuals deeply connected by mutual loyalty and support, often sharing emotional, physical, or social ties
2. Relationships built on a foundation of trust and camaraderie that enhance personal growth and companionship
3. Individuals who share a unique and profound bond, characterized by interdependence and a sense of unity in various aspects of life

Etymology: "Bondmates" is the plural of "bondmate," a compound built from two plain English words: "bond," an old word for something that binds or ties people together, and "-mate," from Middle English "mate," meaning a companion or someone who shares a particular situation. Put together, a bondmate is simply a companion joined to you by a tie. The compound follows a familiar pattern in English, in which "-mate" attaches to a noun to name a fellow participant in a shared condition, as with "classmate" or "roommate." The second element carries the sense of shared membership, while the first supplies the nature of that shared life, here a binding relationship. The meaning given for the plural, individuals linked by interdependence and unity, follows directly from those two parts.

Synonyms: partners, companions

Antonyms: enemies, rivals