Definition for MAST

MAST, n.1 [Sax. mæst; D. G. Sw. and Dan. mast; Fr. mât, for mast; Port. masto or mastro; Sp. mastiles, masts; masteleros, top-masts; masto, a trunk, a stock in which any cion is ingrafted.]

A long, round piece of timber, elevated or designed to raised perpendicularly or nearly so, on the keel of a ship or other vessel, to which the yards, sails and rigging are attached, and by which they are supported. A mast is a single stick, formed from the trunk of a tree, or it consists of many pieces of timber united by iron bands. Masts are of several kinds, as the main-mast, fore-mast, mizzen-mast, top-mast, top-gallant-mast, &c.

Return to page 37 of the letter “M”.