before the mast

Mast \Mast\, n. [AS. maest, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw.
   mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.]
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   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.
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            The tallest pine
            Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast
            Of some great ammiral.                --Milton.
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   Note: The most common general names of masts are {foremast},
         {mainmast}, and {mizzenmast}, each of which may be made
         of separate spars.
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   2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
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   3. (Aeronautics) 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}.
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Before \Be*fore"\, prep. [OE. beforen, biforen, before, AS.
   beforan; pref. be- + foran, fore, before. See {Be-}, and
   {Fore}.]
   1. In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand
      before the fire; before the house.
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            His angel, who shall go
            Before them in a cloud and pillar of fire. --Milton.
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   2. Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior
      to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of
      purpose; in order that.
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            Before Abraham was, I am.             --John viii.
                                                  58.
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            Before this treatise can become of use, two points
            are necessary.                        --Swift.
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   Note: Formerly before, in this sense, was followed by that.
         "Before that Philip called thee . . . I saw thee."
         --John i. 48.
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   3. An advance of; farther onward, in place or time.
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            The golden age . . . is before us.    --Carlyle.
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   4. Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or
      worth; rather than.
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            He that cometh after me is preferred before me.
                                                  --John i. 15.
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            The eldest son is before the younger in succession.
                                                  --Johnson.
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   5. In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing.
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            Abraham bowed down himself before the people. --Gen.
                                                  xxiii. 12.
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            Wherewith shall I come before the Lord? --Micah vi.
                                                  6.
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   6. Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.
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            If a suit be begun before an archdeacon. --Ayliffe.
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   7. Open for; free of access to; in the power of.
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            The world was all before them where to choose.
                                                  --Milton.
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   {Before the mast} (Naut.), as a common sailor, -- because the
      sailors live in the forecastle, forward of the foremast.
      

   {Before the wind} (Naut.), in the direction of the wind and
      by its impulse; having the wind aft.
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