mast

Meaning

Noun

1. A tall, slim post or tower, usually tapering upward, used to support, for example, sails or observation platforms 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).
2. A non-judicial punishment ("NJP"); a disciplinary hearing under which a commanding officer studies and disposes of cases involving those under his command.

Verb

To supply and fit a mast to (a ship).

Verb

1. To feed on forest seed or fruit.
2. To produce a very large quantity of fruit or seed in certain years but not others.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/mɑːst/

Etymology

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 (móst, “bridge”), Irish adhmad.