- foremast
- Mast Mast, n. [AS. m[ae]st, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw.
mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Naut.) 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.
[1913 Webster]
The tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast Of some great ammiral. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Note: The most common general names of masts are {foremast}, {mainmast}, and {mizzenmast}, each of which may be made of separate spars. [1913 Webster]
2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane. [1913 Webster]
3. (A["e]ronautics) A spar or strut to which tie wires or guys are attached for stiffening purposes. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{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}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.