C12: from Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German mariha, Old Norse merr mare
mare in British English2
(ˈmɑːreɪ, -rɪ)
nounWord forms: pluralmaria (ˈmɑːrɪə)
1. (capital when part of a name)
any of a large number of huge dry plains on the surface of the moon, visible as dark markings and once thought to be seas: Mare Imbrium (Sea of Showers)
2.
a similar area on the surface of Mars, such as Mare Sirenum
Word origin
from Latin: sea
mare in British English3
(mɛə)
noun
slang
a very unpleasant or frustrating experience
Word origin
C20: shortened form of nightmare
Mare in American English
(mɛr)
island at the N end of San Francisco Bay, Calif.: site of a U.S. navy yard
Word origin
transl. of Sp Isla de la Yegua: said to be for a mare that swam to the island and joined a herd of elk
mare in American English1
(mɛr)
noun
a fully mature female horse, mule, donkey, burro, etc.; specif., a female horse that has reached the age of five
Word origin
ME < OE mere, fem. of mearh, akin to Ger mähre, jade, prob. < IE base *marko-, horse, seen only in Gmc & Celt (Ir marc, Welsh march, horse)
mare in American English2
(ˈmɑˌreɪ; ˈmɑˌri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈmaria (ˈmɑriə; ˈmæriə)
1.
a sea
2.
one of several vast, dark flat areas on the moon, Mercury, or Mars
Word origin
L, sea < IE base *mori > Goth marei, sea, OE mere, sea, lake, Welsh mor, sea
mare in American English3
(mɛr)
noun
Obsolete
an evil spirit once thought to produce nightmares
Word origin
ME < OE, akin to Ger dial. mahr, ON mar < IE *mora, incubus < base *mer-, to rub, seize > Gr marainein, to quench, OIr meirb, lifeless, OE mearu, soft
Examples of 'mare' in a sentence
mare
It were a chestnut mare the man rode.
Tracy Chevalier Burning Bright (2007)
For a mare to win 21 successive races is unbelievable.
The Sun (2012)
Mare A female horse or pony over four years of age.
Eccles, Lesley Your First Horse - buying, feeding, caring (1989)
Who was the last mare to win the Grand National?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It would be wonderful to see the Italian performing another flying dismount like he did after winning on the mare at Goodwood.