Mass

See also: mass, maß, Maß, Mass., and måss

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmæs/
  • Audio (US)(file)

Etymology 1

From Middle English messe, from Old English mæsse and Old French messe, both from Late Latin missa, from Latin mittō (“to send, dismiss”), compare French messe. In the ancient churches, the public services at which the catechumens were permitted to be present were called missa catechumenorum, ending with the reading of the Gospel. Then they were dismissed with the words: "Ite, missa est", the congregation is dismissed. After that the sacrifice proper began. At its close the same words were said to those who remained. So the word gave the name of Mass to the sacrifice in the Catholic Church. Compare Christmas, Lammas, Mess a dish, Missal. Doublet of missa.

Noun

Mass (plural Masses)

  1. (Roman Catholic Church) The principal liturgical service of the Church, including a scripture service and a eucharistic service, which includes the consecration and oblation (offering) of the host and wine. One of the seven sacraments.
  2. A similar ceremony offered by a number of Christian churches.
  3. (music) A musical composition set to portions of the Mass.
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

Shortening.

Proper noun

Mass

  1. (informal) Massachusetts

Anagrams

Faroese

Proper noun

Mass m

  1. A male given name.

Usage notes

Patronymics

  • son of Mass: Massson
  • daughter of Mass: Massdóttir

Declension

Singular
Indefinite
Nominative Mass
Accusative Mass
Dative Massi
Genitive Mass

German

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -as

Noun

Mass

  1. Switzerland and Liechtenstein standard spelling of Maß.

Further reading

  • Mass in Duden online

Luxembourgish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /mɑs/
  • Rhymes: -ɑs

Etymology 1

From Latin. Cognate with English mass, German Messe, Danish messe, Dutch mis.

Noun

Mass f (plural Massen)

  1. mass (religious service)
  2. Mass (the Eucharist)
Derived terms
  • Doudemass
  • Fréimass
  • Krankemass

Etymology 2

Borrowed from French masse.

Noun

Mass f (plural Massen)

  1. mass (great quantity)
  2. paste, dough
  3. (physics) mass, weight
  4. (electronics) earth, ground
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