Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Mason?

\Ma"son\, n. [F. ma?on, LL. macio, machio, mattio, mactio, marcio, macerio; of uncertain origin.] 1. One whose occupation is to build with stone or brick; also, one who prepares stone for building purposes. 2. A member of the fraternity of Freemasons. See {Freemason}. {Mason bee} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of solitary bees of the genus {Osmia}. They construct curious nests of hardened mud and sand. {Mason moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth whose larva constructs an earthen cocoon under the soil. {Mason shell} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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 larv[ae]
\Ma"son\, v. t. To build stonework or brickwork about, under, in, over, etc.; to construct by masons; -- with a prepositional suffix; as, to mason up a well or terrace; to mason in a kettle or boiler.