The masses

The masses
Mass Mass, n. [OE. masse, F. masse, L. massa; akin to Gr. ? a barley cake, fr. ? to knead. Cf. {Macerate}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A quantity of matter cohering together so as to make one body, or an aggregation of particles or things which collectively make one body or quantity, usually of considerable size; as, a mass of ore, metal, sand, or water. [1913 Webster]

If it were not for these principles, the bodies of the earth, planets, comets, sun, and all things in them, would grow cold and freeze, and become inactive masses. --Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster]

A deep mass of continual sea is slower stirred To rage. --Savile. [1913 Webster]

2. (Phar.) A medicinal substance made into a cohesive, homogeneous lump, of consistency suitable for making pills; as, blue mass. [1913 Webster]

3. A large quantity; a sum. [1913 Webster]

All the mass of gold that comes into Spain. --Sir W. Raleigh. [1913 Webster]

He had spent a huge mass of treasure. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]

4. Bulk; magnitude; body; size. [1913 Webster]

This army of such mass and charge. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. The principal part; the main body. [1913 Webster]

Night closed upon the pursuit, and aided the mass of the fugitives in their escape. --Jowett (Thucyd.). [1913 Webster]

6. (Physics) The quantity of matter which a body contains, irrespective of its bulk or volume. [1913 Webster]

Note: Mass and weight are often used, in a general way, as interchangeable terms, since the weight of a body is proportional to its mass (under the same or equal gravitative forces), and the mass is usually ascertained from the weight. Yet the two ideas, mass and weight, are quite distinct. Mass is the quantity of matter in a body; weight is the comparative force with which it tends towards the center of the earth. A mass of sugar and a mass of lead are assumed to be equal when they show an equal weight by balancing each other in the scales. [1913 Webster]

{Blue mass}. See under {Blue}.

{Mass center} (Geom.), the center of gravity of a triangle.

{Mass copper}, native copper in a large mass.

{Mass meeting}, a large or general assembly of people, usually a meeting having some relation to politics.

{The masses}, the great body of the people, as contrasted with the higher classes; the populace. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • The Masses — was a graphically innovative magazine of socialist politics published monthly in the U.S. from 1911 to 1917, when government suppression shut it down. It was succeeded by The Liberator and then later The New Masses . It published reportage,… …   Wikipedia

  • The Masses (disambiguation) — The Masses is a magazine of socialist politics published monthly in the U.S. from 1911 until 1917. The Masses may also refer to: The masses, the main toiling part of the population The Masses (Egyptian newspaper), a communist weekly newspaper The …   Wikipedia

  • The Revolt of the Masses — is the English translation of José Ortega y Gasset s La rebelión de las masas. The original was first published in 1929; the English translation, first published two years later, was authorized by the author. While the published version notes… …   Wikipedia

  • The Masses Are Asses — can refer to:*A 1974 play by Pedro Pietri *A 1997 song by the female punk rock group L7 appearing on the album *A phrase used by Karl Rove (in the negative) during his address to the 2006 graduating class in Political Science at George Washington …   Wikipedia

  • the opiate of the masses — (or people) something regarded as inducing a false and unrealistic sense of contentment among people Origin: translating the German phrase Opium des Volks, used by Karl Marx in reference to religion (1844) …   Useful english dictionary

  • the masses — the throng, the common people …   English contemporary dictionary

  • the masses — the ordinary people. → mass …   English new terms dictionary

  • The Masses Against the Classes — Single infobox Name = The Masses Against the Classes Artist = Manic Street Preachers from Album = Released = November, 1999 Format = CD, Vinyl record (10 ) Recorded = Rockfield Studios, Wales and Rak Studios, London Autumn 1999 Genre = Rock… …   Wikipedia

  • The Opiate of the Masses — Infobox Album Name = The Opiate of the Masses Type = remix Longtype = (EP) Artist = Grotus Released = 1994 Recorded = 1994 Genre = Experimental Industrial rock Length = 28:06 Label = Alternative Tentacles Producer = Grotus Reviews = Last album =… …   Wikipedia

  • Music for the Masses — For other uses, see Music for the Masses (disambiguation). Music for the Masses Studio album by Depeche Mode …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”