before the mast

2 definitions found

before the mast - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mast \Mast\, n. [AS. maest, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw.
     mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Naut.) A pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, or
        spar, set upright in a boat or vessel, to sustain the
        sails, yards, rigging, etc. A mast may also consist of
        several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of a
        hollow pillar of iron or steel.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The tallest pine
              Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast
              Of some great ammiral.                --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The most common general names of masts are foremast,
           mainmast, and mizzenmast, each of which may be made
           of separate spars.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Aeronautics) A spar or strut to which tie wires or guys
        are attached for stiffening purposes.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     Afore the mast, Before the mast. See under Afore, and
        Before.
  
     Mast coat. See under Coat.
  
     Mast hoop, one of a number of hoops attached to the fore
        edge of a boom sail, which slip on the mast as the sail is
        raised or lowered; also, one of the iron hoops used in
        making a made mast. See Made.
        [1913 Webster]

  Before \Be*fore"\, prep. [OE. beforen, biforen, before, AS.
     beforan; pref. be- + foran, fore, before. See Be-, and
     Fore.]
     1. In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand
        before the fire; before the house.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              His angel, who shall go
              Before them in a cloud and pillar of fire. --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior
        to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of
        purpose; in order that.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Before Abraham was, I am.             --John viii.
                                                    58.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Before this treatise can become of use, two points
              are necessary.                        --Swift.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Formerly before, in this sense, was followed by that.
           "Before that Philip called thee . . . I saw thee."
           --John i. 48.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     3. An advance of; farther onward, in place or time.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The golden age . . . is before us.    --Carlyle.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or
        worth; rather than.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He that cometh after me is preferred before me.
                                                    --John i. 15.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The eldest son is before the younger in succession.
                                                    --Johnson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Abraham bowed down himself before the people. --Gen.
                                                    xxiii. 12.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Wherewith shall I come before the Lord? --Micah vi.
                                                    6.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              If a suit be begun before an archdeacon. --Ayliffe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     7. Open for; free of access to; in the power of.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The world was all before them where to choose.
                                                    --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Before the mast (Naut.), as a common sailor, -- because the
        sailors live in the forecastle, forward of the foremast.
        
  
     Before the wind (Naut.), in the direction of the wind and
        by its impulse; having the wind aft.
        [1913 Webster]