mast
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (4)masts
- a vertical spar for supporting sailsType of sparKinds topmast, mizzenmast, jiggermast, jury mast, mainmast, foremastPart of sailing vessel, sailing shipParts masthead
- nuts of forest trees (as beechnuts and acorns) accumulated on the groundType of nut
- nuts of forest trees used as feed for swineType of feed, provender
- any sturdy upright poleType of pole
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: AS. maest, fem.; akin to G. mast, and E. meat. See Meat.
The fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts; acorns.
Oak mast, and beech,... they eat.— George Chapman
Swine under an oak filling themselves with the mast.— Robert South
Origin: AS. maest, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw. mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.
1. Nautical A pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, or spar, set upright in a boat or vessel, to sustain the sails, yards, rigging, etc. A mast may also consist of several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of a hollow pillar of iron or steel.
The tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast Of some great ammiral.— John Milton
☞ The most common general names of masts are foremast, mainmast, and mizzenmast, each of which may be made of separate spars.
2. Machinery The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
3. Aeronautics A spar or strut to which tie wires or guys are attached for stiffening purposes.
Afore the mast, Before the mast. See under Afore, and Before. — Mast coat. See under Coat. — Mast hoop, one of a number of hoops attached to the fore edge of a boom sail, which slip on the mast as the sail is raised or lowered; also, one of the iron hoops used in making a made mast. See Made.
To furnish with a mast or masts; to put the masts of in position; as, to mast a ship.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: 1913 supplement