Obs. Also 5–7 sociat. [ad. L. sociāt-us: see next.] An associate or colleague; a companion or comrade. Also transf.
α. c. 1450. Hist. & Ant. Masonry, 130. The … Alderman of the Towne in wyche the congregacions ys holden schall be felaw and sociat to the master of the congregacions.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 56. Deere sociats,… Now let vs on forward.
1621. Brathwait, Nat. Embassie (1877), 109. Wisdome will haue sociats to frequent her. Ibid. (1638), Barnabees Jrnl., I. (1818), 39. Night and day with sociats many Drunk I ale both thick and clammy.
β. 1523. North Co. Wills (Surtees), 116. To the two sociates with the prior of Horneby.
1588. R. Parke, trans. Mendoza’s Hist. China, 53. He had two sociates for to helpe him.
1640. Yorke, Union Hon., Battles, 58. Wyat and his sociates being greatly encouraged by this new supply.
1706. De Foe, Jure Divino, XI. 260. At this One Blow, the mighty Sociates fell. Ibid. (1719), Crusoe, II. (Globe), 376. The three new Sociates began, it seems, to be weary of the life they led.
1788. Sir B. Boothby, Elegy, 7, in Sorrows (1796), 41. Beloved retreat…; Sociate of joy, when Love and Hope were young.
