Definition for MAST

MAST, n.2 [Sax. mæste, acorns, food; Goth. mats, food, meat; Ir. mais, meas, an acorn; maise, food; W. mes, acorns, a portion, a meal; mesen, an acorn. This may be the American maiz, and signify food in general, from eating, chewing, masticating, or primarily a nut kernel, or acorn, the food of the primitive tribes of men. It seems to be radically the same word as meat.]

The fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts; acorns. [It has no plural.]

Return to page 37 of the letter “M”.