mast Hear it!

mast¹ Definition

mast (mast, mäst)

noun

  1. a tall spar or, now often, a hollow metal structure, sometimes in sections, rising vertically from the keel or deck of a vessel and used to support the sails, yards, radar and radio equipment, etc.
  2. a specified section of this the topmast
  3. any vertical pole, as in a crane or derrick
  4. a metal post for the support of a radio aerial or television antenna
  5. ☆ U.S. Navy a summary session held by the commanding officer to try minor offenses, hear requests, or give commendations

Etymology: ME maste < OE mæst, akin to Ger mast < IE *mazdos, a pole, rod > L malus, mast (< *madus with Sabine l for d), Ir maide, a stick

transitive verb

to put a mast or masts on

mast¹ Idioms

before the mast

Etymology: quarters for common sailors were formerly located forward of the foremast

Now Rare as a common sailor

mast² Definition

mast (mast, mäst)

noun

beechnuts, acorns, chestnuts, etc., esp. as food for hogs

Etymology: ME maste < OE mæst, akin to Ger mast < IE base *mad-, moist, dripping (with fat, sap) > meat, Gr mastos, a breast

mast Synonyms

mast

n.

spar, pole, post, timber, trunk, Maypole, flagstaff; see also column 1.

Masts include: mainmast, foremast, mizzen, mizzenmast, topmast, topgallant mast, lower mast, jurymast, jigger.

mast Usage Examples

Object

  • schooner: This is a 2 masted schooner built in 1860 and lost in 1883 carrying iron ore.

Converse of object

  • erect: They may also need to erect a wind speed mast.
  • lower: Crane ( 12.5 ton ) can be used for lowering masts.
  • climb: You can climb the mast to a ' crows nest ' , or swim from the stern marina platform.
  • install: For more accurate information you may also choose to install an anemometer mast to gage wind speed data over a given period.

Adjective modifier

  • mizzen: At 1.45pm the " Neptune " brought down bother the " Bucentaure's " main and mizzen masts.
  • telescopic: The vehicle is fitted with a 13 meter telescopic mast for radio communications.
  • mizen: The next step was to add extra masts, the foremast and the mizen mast.
  • mobile: Nobody wants a mobile phone mast put up anywhere near where they live.
  • aerial: There is an aerial mast on top of the bunker.
  • aft: Swimming back along the starboard side, the diver will find some remains of the aft mast.

Modifies a noun

  • rake: Have you measured your mast rake to see what it is at the moment with it raked back?
  • cell: Mast cells are a known part of the allergy process.
  • activation: However, when starting with a defective GAG layer, no increase in mast cell activation was observed.

Noun used with modifier

  • telecommunications: The ODPM has produced an analysis of recent levels of Parliamentary activity on the subject of telecommunications masts.
  • telecommunication: Mercury telecommunications masts: the Clerk had received no further communication from Mercury.
  • telecom: However, insurance is now available against the potential for adverse developments including telecom masts close to residential property.
  • transmitter: My neighbor is a tv transmitter mast; lovely tv reception!
  • phone: Nobody wants a mobile phone mast put up anywhere near where they live.
  • beech: There is a moderate amount of beech mast this year, last year there was hardly any.
mast Quotes

A wet sheet and a flowing sea, A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail, And bends the gallant mast

—Cunningham, Allan