MAST (2)

Mast, n. [[AS. mæst, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw. mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.]] 1. 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.
The tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast Of some great ammiral. Milton. ☞ The most common general names of masts are foremast, mainmast, and mizzenmast, each of which may be made of separate spars. 2. 2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
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.