MASON.

An artificer in stone. The Tyrians seem to have been specially skilled in architecture (1 Kings 5:17, 18; 2 Sam. 5:11). This art the Hebrews no doubt learned in Egypt (Ex. 1:11, 14), where ruins of temples and palaces fill the traveller with wonder at the present day.

MA'SON. The Hebrews no doubt learnt the art of masonry during their residence in Egypt, Ex 1:11, 2 Kgs 22:14, though at a later period we find Phoenician workmen employed by David and Solomon. 1 Kgs 5:17-18; 1 Chr 14:1. By the erection of the temple great skill in the art of masonry was evinced, both in the great wall which supported the temple-platform, and which consisted of huge blocks held together by lead, and in the temple-wall itself, in which the stones were so accurately cut that they could be laid without the application of tools. In common buildings plastering with mortar was used both without and within. Lev 14:40-42; Matt 23:27. There seems also to have been a kind of plastering with mere mud. called untempered. Eze 13:10-15.

MA'SON. The Hebrews no doubt learnt the art of masonry during their residence in Egypt, Ex 1:11, 2 Kgs 22:14, though at a later period we find Phoenician workmen employed by David and Solomon. 1 Kgs 5:17-18; 1 Chr 14:1. By the erection of the temple great skill in the art of masonry was evinced, both in the great wall which supported the temple-platform, and which consisted of huge blocks held together by lead, and in the temple-wall itself, in which the

stones were so accurately cut that they could be laid without the application of tools. In common buildings plastering with mortar was used both without and within. Lev 14:40-42; Matt 23:27. There seems also to have been a kind of plastering with mere mud. called untempered. Eze 13:10-15.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. One whose occupation is to build with stone or brick; also, one who prepares stone for building purposes.

2. A member of the fraternity of Freemasons. See Freemason. Mason bee (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of solitary bees of the genus Osmia. They construct curious nests of hardened mud and sand. -- Mason moth (Zoöl.), any moth whose larva constructs an earthen cocoon under the soil. -- Mason shell (Zoöl.), a marine univalve shell of the genus Phorus; -- so called because it cements other shells and pebbles upon its own shell; a carrier shell. -- Mason wasp (Zoöl.), any wasp that constructs its nest, or brood cells, of hardened mud. The female fills the cells with insects or spiders, paralyzed by a sting, and thus provides food for its larvæ

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To build stonework or brickwork about, under, in, over, etc.; to construct by masons; -- with a prepositional suffix; as, to mason up a well or terrace; to mason in a kettle or boiler.