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.
Mast, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Masted; p. pr. & vb. n. Masting.] To furnish
with a mast or masts; to put the masts of in position; as, to mast a
ship.
||Mas"tax (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; mouth, jaws.] (Zoöl.) (a) The
||pharynx of a rotifer. It usually contains four horny pieces. The two
||central ones form the incus, against which the mallei, or lateral
||ones, work so as to crush the food. (b) The lore of a bird.
Mast"ed (?), a. Furnished with a mast or masts; -- chiefly in
composition; as, a three-masted schooner.
Mast"er (-r), n. (Naut.) A vessel having (so many) masts; -- used only
in compounds; as, a two-master.
Mas"ter (ms"tr), n. [OE. maistre, maister, OF. maistre, mestre, F.
maître, fr. L. magister, orig. a double comparative from the root of
magnus great, akin to Gr. me`gas. Cf. Maestro, Magister, Magistrate,
Magnitude, Major, Mister, Mistress, Mickle.] 1. A male person having
another living being so far subject to his will, that he can, in the
main, control his or its actions; -- formerly used with much more
extensive application than now. (a) The employer of a servant. (b) The
owner of a slave. (c) The person to whom an apprentice is articled. (d)
A sovereign, prince, or feudal noble; a chief, or one exercising
similar authority. (e) The head of a household. (f) The male head of a
school or college. (g) A male teacher. (h) The director of a number of
persons performing a ceremony or sharing a feast. (i) The owner of a
docile brute, -- especially a dog or horse. (j) The controller of a
familiar spirit or other supernatural being.
2. One who uses, or controls at will, anything inanimate; as, to be
master of one's time. Shak.
Master of a hundred thousand drachms.
Addison.
We are masters of the sea.
Jowett (Thucyd. ).
3. One who has attained great skill in the use or application of
anything; as, a master of oratorical art.
Great masters of ridicule.
Macaulay.
No care is taken to improve young men in their own language, that
they may thoroughly understand and be masters of it.
Locke.
4. A title given by courtesy, now commonly pronounced mster, except
when given to boys; -- sometimes written Mister, but usually
abbreviated to Mr.