Mast — Defs

01 n. The fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts; acorns.

1.
The fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts; acorns.
“Oak mast, and beech, . . . they eat.” — Chapman.

“Swine under an oak filling themselves with the mast.” — South.

02 n. 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 mas…

1.
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.(Naut.)
“The tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast Of some great ammiral.<--sic-->” — Milton.
2.
The vertical post of a derrick or crane.(Mach.)
3.
A spar or strut to which tie wires or guys are attached for stiffening purposes.(Aeronautics)

Phrases & compounds

Afore 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.

03 v. t. To furnish with a mast or masts; to put the masts of in position; as, to mast a ship.

imp. & p. p. Masted; p. pr. & vb. n. Masting

1.
To furnish with a mast or masts; to put the masts of in position; as, to mast a ship.