mason
pronunciation
How to pronounce mason in British English:
UK [ˈmeɪsn]
How to pronounce mason in American English:
US [ˈmesən]
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- Noun:
- a craftsman who works with stone or brick
Word Origin
- mason
- mason: [13] English originally acquired mason in the form machun, from Anglo-Norman. In the 14th century it was remodelled as masoun or mason on the basis of Old French masson. The derivation of this is disputed. Some etymologists claim that it comes via a Vulgar Latin *matiō from prehistoric Germanic *mattjon (source of German steinmetz ‘stonemason’), but an alternative theory traces it back to a Frankish *makjo, a derivative of *makōn ‘make’.
- mason (n.)
- c. 1200, "stoneworker" (as a surname, early 12c.), from Old French masson, maçon "stone mason" (Old North French machun), probaby from Frankish *makjo or some other Germanic source (compare Old High German steinmezzo "stone mason," Modern German Steinmetz, second element related to mahhon "to make;" see make (v.)). But it also might be from, or influenced by, Medieval Latin machio, matio (7c.) which is said by Isidore to be derived from machina (see machine). The medieval word also might be from the root of Latin maceria "wall." Meaning "a Freemason" is attested from early 15c. in Anglo-French.
Example
- 1. Mason was incredibly likable in his I was canned letter .
- 2. Lead google buzz plaintiffs attorney gary mason declined to comment , explaining that settlement negotiations are confidential .
- 3. If lefkofsky and keywell did want to oust mason , it would be difficult to stop them .
- 4. Which is all to say , groupon clearly has opportunities to explore without the wayward mason in charge .
- 5. Groupon 's stock saw a similar pop after mason 's departure hit the wires .