mast

Meanings

Noun

• A tall, slim post or tower, usually tapering upward, used to support, for example, sails on a ship, the main rotor of a helicopter, flags, floodlights, meteorological instruments, or communications equipment, such as an aerial, usually supported by guy-wires (except in the case of a helicopter).
• A non-judicial punishment ("NJP"); a disciplinary hearing under which a commanding officer studies and disposes of cases involving those under his command.
• The fruit of forest-trees (beech, oak, chestnut, pecan, etc.), especially if having fallen from the tree, used as fodder for pigs and other animals.
• A type of heavy cue, with the broad end of which one strikes the ball.

Verb

• To supply and fit a mast to (a ship).
• To feed on forest seed or fruit.
• To produce a very large quantity of fruit or seed in certain years but not others.

Related

Narrower meaning words

• foremast, mainmast, mizzenmast, topmast

Origin

• From Middle English mast, from Old English mæst ("mast"), from Proto-West Germanic *mast, from Proto-Germanic *mastaz ("mast, sail-pole"), from Proto-Indo-European *mazdos ("pole, mast"). Cognate with Dutch mast, German Mast, and via Indo-European with Latin mālus, Russian мо́ст ("bridge"), Irish adhmad.
• From Old English mæst ("fallen nuts, food for swine"), mæsten, from West Germanic; probably related to meat.
• From French masse, with -t probably after Etymology 1, above.