1. [n]  a member of a widespread secret fraternal order pledged to mutual assistance and brotherly love
2. [n]  a craftsman who works with stone or brick
3. [n]  English writer (1865-1948)
4. [n]  English film actor(1909-1984)
5. [n]  American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)

1. \Ma"son\, n. [F. ma?on, LL. macio, machio, mattio, mactio,
   marcio, macerio; of uncertain origin.]
   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} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
      solitary bees of the genus {Osmia}. They construct curious
      nests of hardened mud and sand.
   {Mason moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth whose larva constructs an
      earthen cocoon under the soil.
   {Mason shell} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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 larv[ae]
   

2. \Ma"son\, v. t.
   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.
   

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.