from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Mast \Mast\, n. [AS. maest, 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.
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2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
[1913 Webster]
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}.
[1913 Webster]