mason
/ˈmeɪ.sən/ (bre, ipa) · [mˈesən] /ˈmeɪ.sən/ (ame, ipa) · [mˈesən] /ˈmā-sᵊn/ (ame, mw)
mason — noun
- masonsingular
- masonsplural
1. someone trained to cut, shape, and place stone for walls, buildings, tombs, and
someone trained to cut, shape, and place stone for walls, buildings, tombs, and other solid structures.
The mason replaced the loose stones in the church tower before winter.
typical object: repair stonework on a building
Putri trained as a mason while restoring old walls in her hometown.
pattern: train as a mason
After the storm, our town hired a mason to rebuild the broken gateposts.
The mason carved a family name into the stone above the doorway.
Ingrid watched the mason set each block carefully along the garden path.
- stonemason
more exact when the worker's job is clearly focused on stone
- stoneworker
broader and can include shaping stone without building structures
- builder
much broader and not limited to masonry work
文法句型
work as a mason
hire a mason
mason + repair/carve/set + stone structure
用法筆記
Usually suggests someone working with stone rather than bricks alone. Distinguish from sense 2 when the job is specifically laying bricks for a wall, chimney, or similar structure.
常見錯誤
2. someone whose job is laying bricks to make or mend walls, chimneys, pillars, and
someone whose job is laying bricks to make or mend walls, chimneys, pillars, and similar parts of a building.
Eric worked as a mason, laying red bricks for the new school gym.
mason + laying bricks: brickwork reading
The builder called in a mason to repair the cracked chimney.
typical object: repair a chimney
Two masons spent all morning building steps beside the bakery.
Anjali asked the mason to match the old bricks on the garden wall.
When the fence came down, a mason rebuilt the brick pillar by dusk.
- bricklayer
the most exact everyday word for this brickwork sense
- brick mason
close in meaning, especially in North American English
- builder
broader term for someone doing many kinds of construction work
文法句型
work as a mason
call a mason
mason + lay/repair/rebuild + brick structure
用法筆記
This narrower sense focuses on brickwork. Distinguish from sense 1, which more strongly suggests cutting or setting stone instead of bricks.
常見錯誤
3. a member of the Freemasons, an old organization whose members follow private cer
a member of the Freemasons, an old organization whose members follow private ceremonies and recognize one another by special signs.
Christopher's grandfather had been a mason for fifty years before leaving the lodge.
be a mason + lodge: Freemasons context
At the museum, a guide explained the symbols used by nineteenth-century masons.
common context: Masonic symbols
The local masons met in a hall behind the old library.
A historian showed Beatrix a ring that identified its owner as a mason.
A mason advanced through different ranks as he gained more responsibility in the lodge.
- Freemason
full form and the clearer choice when the society itself is being named
- lodge member
only works in context and is less exact than Freemason
文法句型
be a mason
become a mason
mason + lodge/hall/rank
用法筆記
Usually refers specifically to a member of the Freemasons, not to the building trades in senses 1 and 2. The fuller form Freemason is more common when the organization itself needs to be named clearly.