Mast

Mäst, n. [A-S. măst, m., D., Ger., Dan., & Sw. mast, Icel. mastr; whence Pr. mast, mat, Fr. mât, for mast, Pg. masto, mastro, Sp. mastil.] (Naut.) A pole set upright in a boat or vessel, to sustain the sails, yards, rigging, &c. A mast may also consist of many pieces of timber united by iron bands. Masts are of several kinds, as the main-mast, fore-mast, mizzen-mast, top-mast, top-gallant-mast, &c.

The pine, Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast Of some tall admiral. Milton.

n. [A-S. măst, f., Ger. mast, from Goth. matan, O. H. Ger. mazan, to nourish; whence Goth. mats, O. H. Ger. muz, A-S. mete, mete, food. Cf. MEAT.] The fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts; acorns. Oak mast, and beech, and cannel-fruit they eat. Chapman. They feed and grow like swine under an oak filling themselves with the mast. South. ☞ This word has no plural.