\Mast\, n. [AS. m[ae]st, fem.; akin to G. mast, and E.
meat. See {Meat}.]
The fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts;
acorns.
      Oak mast, and beech, . . . they eat.     --Chapman.
      Swine under an oak filling themselves with the mast.
                                               --South.

\Mast\, n. [AS. m[ae]st, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw.
mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.]
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.
         The tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the
         mast Of some great ammiral.
                                               --Milton.
Note: The most common general names of masts are {foremast},
      {mainmast}, and {mizzenmast}, each of which may be made
      of separate spars.
2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
{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}.

\Mast\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Masted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Masting}.]
To furnish with a mast or masts; to put the masts of in
position; as, to mast a ship.

\Mast\, n. (A["e]ronautics)
A spar or strut to which tie wires or guys are attached for
stiffening purposes.