mason English · revision 7359

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=fro maçon}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈmeɪsən/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English machun, masoun, [[bor|fro|maçon|t=stonemason]], masson (Old North French machun),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) probably from Frankish *makjo or another Germanic source, related to [[make]];^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) compare Old High German steinmezzo, stonemason.^(Etymonline) It may instead come from or be influenced by Medieval Latin machio, matio, which Isidore derives from machina.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A builder and worker in stone: probably before 1200, in Layamon;^(Barnhart 1988) about 1205 in the OED; as a surname from the early 12th century.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A member of the fraternity of [[freemason|alt=Freemasons]] is from the early 15th century (1425).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Insects such as mason bees, which build nests of mud or sand, are from 1816.^(OED 1989) The verb, to build of stone, is late Middle English.^(SOED 2002) The Mason jar, a glass jar with a screw lid, is by 1868.^(Etymonline) [[masonry|alt=Masonry]] is from the 14th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – a stonemason.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1425 – a Freemason.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1816 – mason bee.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1868 – Mason jar.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A builder and worker in [[stone]]; a stonemason.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(Mason)'' A Freemason.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To build or strengthen with stone.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[freemason]]

+ * [[masonic]]

+ * [[nonmason]]

+ * [[stonemason]]

+ * [[masonry]]

+ * [[mason bee]]

+ * [[mason wasp]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[make]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}