Freemason

[ free-mey-suhn, free-mey- ]

noun

1. a member of a widely distributed secret order Free and Accepted Masons, having for its object mutual assistance and the promotion of brotherly love among its members.
2. (lowercase) History/Historical.
   1. one of a class of skilled stoneworkers of the Middle Ages, possessing secret signs and passwords.
   2. a member of a society composed of such workers, which also included honorary members accepted masons not connected with the building trades.

freemason

¹

/ ˈfriːˌmeɪsən; ˌfriːməˈsɒnɪk /

noun

1. medieval history a member of a guild of itinerant skilled stonemasons, who had a system of secret signs and passwords with which they recognized each other

Freemason

²

/ ˌfriːməˈsɒnɪk; ˈfriːˌmeɪsən /

noun

1. a member of the widespread secret order, constituted in London in 1717, of Free and Accepted Masons , pledged to brotherly love, faith, and charity Sometimes shortened toMason

Derived Forms

• freemasonic, adjective
• Freemasonic, adjective

Other Words From

• free·ma·son·ic [free-m, uh, -, son, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Freemason¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, Freemason is from the Middle English word fremason. See free, mason

Example Sentences

There were rumors that Fahrenheit was an active Freemason and based his scale’s starting point on the “32 degrees of enlightenment,” which accord to some rites of Freemasonry.

From Time

The American Mackey, as a consistent Freemason, shows scant sympathy for this traitor in the masonic camp.

From Project Gutenberg

One can never be sure, he said, of a converted Freemason, but must always fear lest he may return to his former friends.

From Project Gutenberg

As a member of the freemason fraternity he was known as Gay Lussac.

From Project Gutenberg

Freemason, between Brewer and Granby, presented a sea deep enough to float a vessel of one hundred tons.

From Project Gutenberg

The seventy-second anniversary festival of this institution was held at Freemason's Hall on the 30th of March, 1870.

From Project Gutenberg