mass

I

[[t]mæs[/t]]

n.

1) a body of coherent matter, usu. of indefinite shape:

a mass of dough[/ex]

2) a collection of incoherent particles, parts, or objects regarded as forming one body:

a mass of sand[/ex]

3) aggregate; whole:

People, in the mass, mean well[/ex]

4) a considerable number or quantity:

a mass of errors[/ex]

5) bulk; massiveness:

towers of great mass and strength[/ex]

6) the greater part of something:

the great mass of American films[/ex]

7) phs the quantity of matter as determined from its weight or from Newton's second law of motion

Abbr.: m

8) the masses, the ordinary or common people as a whole

9) cvb pertaining to, involving, or affecting a large number of people:

mass unemployment[/ex]

10) cvb participated in or performed by a large number of people:

mass demonstrations[/ex]

11) cvb involving or characteristic of the mass of the people:

a mass audience[/ex]

12) cvb designed to reach a large number of people:

mass communications[/ex]

13) cvb done on a large scale:

mass destruction[/ex]

14) to come together in or form a mass:

clouds massing in the west[/ex]

15) to assemble or distribute in a mass:

houses massed in blocks[/ex]

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Etymology: 1350–1400; < L massa mass < Gk mâza barley cake II

mass

[[t]mæs[/t]] n.

1) (often cap.) the liturgy of the Eucharist

Compare high mass low mass

2) rel (often cap.) the celebration of the Eucharist

3) mad a musical setting of the mass

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Etymology: bef. 900; OE mæsse < VL *messa, LL missa, formally fem. of L missus, ptp. of mittere to send