mason wasp

mason wasp
    n 1: solitary wasp that constructs nests of hardened mud or clay
         for the young
    2: any of various solitary wasps that construct nests of
       hardened mud for their young
    

Mason \Ma"son\, n. [F. ma[,c]on, LL. macio, machio, mattio,
   mactio, marcio, macerio; of uncertain origin.]
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   1. One whose occupation is to build with stone or brick;
      also, one who prepares stone for building purposes.
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   2. A member of the fraternity of Freemasons. See {Freemason}.
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   {Mason bee} (Zool.), any one of numerous species of solitary
      bees of the genus {Osmia}. They construct curious nests of
      hardened mud and sand.

   {Mason moth} (Zool.), any moth whose larva constructs an
      earthen cocoon under the soil.

   {Mason shell} (Zool.), a marine univalve shell of the genus
      {Phorus}; -- so called because it cements other shells and
      pebbles upon its own shell; a carrier shell.

   {Mason wasp} (Zool.), any wasp that constructs its nest, or
      brood cells, of hardened mud. The female fills the cells
      with insects or spiders, paralyzed by a sting, and thus
      provides food for its larvae
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