MASONIC DICTIONARY
A
B C D
E F G
H I
J K
L M
N O
P Q
R S
T U
V W
X Y
Z
ABIF:
Meaning is “his father”. ADONAI:
The lord. ADVANCE:
Going from one degree to the next after showing proficiency in the
preceding degree. ADVERSE
BALLOT: In case the
ballot on a petition for the degrees or for affiliation is adverse,
the Master may, if he so desires, spread the ballot again to make
certain no error occurred. In so doing, he should state his reason for
the second spreading. The ballot shall not be spread a third time. A.E.O.N.M.S.:
Ancient Egyptian Order Nobles Mystic Shrine (Prince Hall Shrine). AGREEABLY:
In conformity with. ALLEGORICAL:
An allegory is a story told through symbols, or an idea so expressed. ALLEGORY:
Analogy or comparison; a story told to illustrate a principle. It
comes from the Greek meaning "to say something different." ALL
SEEING-EYE: An emblem reminding us that we are constantly in God's
presence. ALPHA
and OMEGA: First and last Greek letters of the alphabet. The beginning
and the end of all things; the first and the last, often mentioned in
the Scriptures and in several of the Masonic degrees. AMEN:
From the Hebrew meaning "verily, truly, certainly." One
person confirms the words of another. Masonically, answered by
"So mote it be." ANCIENT:
Old, time honored. ANNO
BENEFACIO: (A.B.) Latin for "In the Year of the Blessing."
Used by the Order of High Priesthood for dating their documents. (1930
added to the current date.) ANNO
DEPOSITIONIS: (A.Dep.) Latin for "In the Year of the Deposit.
"The Cryptic Masonic date designation. (Add 1000 to the current
date.) ANNO
DOMINI: (A.D.) Latin for "Year of our Lord." ANNO
INVENTIONIS: (A.I.) Latin meaning "In the Year of
Discovery." The Royal Arch date designation. (Add 530 to the
current date.) ANNO
LUCIS: (A.L.) Latin meaning "In the Year of Light, "the
date used by Ancient Craft Masonry. (Add 4000 to the current date.) ANNO
MUNDI: (A.M.) Latin meaning "In the Year of the World." The
date used by the Scottish Rite. (Add 3760 to the current year until
September; if after September, add 3761. ANNO
ORDINIS: (A.0.) L thin meaning "In the Year of e Order." The
date used by the Knights Templar. (Sul)tract 1118 from the current
date.) ANOINT:
To apply oil to, or pour oil on, particularly holy oil as a sign of
elevation to kingship or consecration to priesthood. Hence,
"anointed," one accepted by the Lord, as "The Lord's
anointed." . Comes from the custom of the Egyptians and Jews. APRON:
The badge of a Mason. Originally among priesthoods as a badge
of office and a means of ornamentation. The Masonic apron should be
white lambskin, fourteen inches wide and twelve inches deep. It should
be presented to the candidate at his initiation and not at some
subsequent time. No substitute should be used. From the French word
napron meaning "an apron of cloth." From earliest times in
Persia, Egypt, India, the Jewish Essenes, the white apron was a badge
of honor and candidates were invested with it, or a sash, or a robe.
Its reference is to purity of heart, to innocence of conduct. ARCHITECT:
One who designs buildings. ARCHITECTURE:
The art or science of building. ARCHIVES:
a place for the safe keeping of records ; the records themselves. ARTIFICER:
a craftsman or skilled laborer. ARTS:
branches of learning, as in the lecture of the F.C. degree. In E.A.
degree: skills. ASHLAR:
a block of stone from which a column, capital, or other finished
product is carved or hewn. ASHLAR:
A stone as taken from the quarry; an unpolished stone. ATHEIST:
One who does not believe in God. BEEHIVE:
Symbolic of systematized industry. What one may not be able to
accomplish alone may be easily performed when all work together at one
task. BLAZING
STAR: Symbol of light; of Divine direction in the journey through
life; symbolizes a true Freemason who, by perfecting himself in the
way of truth (knowledge), becomes like a blazing star. In English
lodges, symbolizes sun which enlightens the earth, dispensing its
blessings to all mankind and giving light and life to all things. BLUE
LODGE. A term which has grown into use over the years meaning the
three degrees of the lodge, or Symbolic Masonry. In the early years,
Master Masons wore blue lined aprons. Blue is symbolic of perfection,
benevolence, truth, universal friendship, fidelity. BOAZ:
Comes from the Hebrew meaning "in strength." The left hand
pillar that stood at the porch of King Solomon's Temple. BOOK
OF CONSTITUTIONS: An emblem of law signifying that our moral and
spiritual character is grounded in law and order and that no man can
live a satisfying life who lives lawlessly. BOOK
OF CONSTITUTIONS GUARDED BY THE TYLER’S SWORD: An admonishment to
the Mason that he should be guarded in his words and actions;
obedience to the law. BOOK
OF THE LAW: The sacred book which reveals the will of God. To
Christians, the Bible; to the Brahman, the Vedas, etc. BRETHREN:
The term is used in speaking of Masons, and in this connection is
preferable to "brothers." BROKEN
COLUMN: Columns or pillars were used among the early Hebrews to
signify nobles or princes; it is from such that we get the expression
"pillar of the church." Masonically, the broken column
refers to the fall of one of the chief supporters of the Craft; an
untimely death. CLANDESTINE:
not regular. CABLE
TOW: The tie by which the candidate is bound to his brethren; the
length of a Mason's cable tow is the scope of his ability to go to the
relief of a brother in need. In early years the distance was three
miles; in present time it is usually considered about forty miles. CALENDAR,
MASONIC: Masons date their official documents in a manner peculiar to
themselves. The various dates for the different bodies are based on
important points in history. CANOPY:
a tent-like covering. "Canopy of heaven", the sky. CARDINAL
POINTS: East: Wisdom; West: Strength; South: Beauty; North: Darkness. CARDINAL
VIRTUES: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and justice are virtues of
morality as laid down by Plato. Cardinal comes from the Latin cardo
meaning "chief or fundamental." CATECHISM:
Instructions of Freemasonry. CEDARS:
Members of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, a non-Masonic organization
composed of Freemasons. CELESTIAL
CANOPY: Symbolic covering of the lodge; heavenly. CEMENT:
Brotherly love binds Freemasons of all countries, races and creeds
in one common brotherhood. CHECKERED
FLOOR: The Mosaic Pavement. CHRISTIAN
VIRTUES: Faith, Hope, and Charity. CHALK,
CHARCOAL, AND CLAY: Freedom, fervency, and zeal. CHAPITERS:
the ornamental tops or capitals of pillars. CHARTER:
a document setting forth a set of granted rights and privileges given
by the Grand Lodge to the constituent Lodge at the tinic of
Constitution. The Master
is its custodian, and must see to its security at all times.
The charter must be in the Lodge room during all communications
of the Lodge, preferably in the Master's charge, but it may be on the
Secretary's desk, or in the archives of the Lodge. It should not be
framed to hang on the wall. The
request of a visitor to inspect the charter in advance be granted or
refused. Should the
charter be lost or destroyed, the Grand Master or Grand Secretary
should be notified at once. Pending the issuing of a duplicate
charter, a permission, or dispensation to continue work should be
obtained from the Grand Master. CHASTEN:
To correct by discipline. CIRCLE:
A figure which has neither beginning nor end and symbolizes eternity;
the universe. CIRCURNAMBULATION:
The movement is in imitation of the apparent course of the sun,
and so is in the form of an ellipse.
After the obligation the Senior Deacon with the candidate
should make all turns square. CIRCUMSCRIBED:
literally encircled hence limited. CLOTHED,
PROPERLY: With white gloves and apron, and the jewel of his Masonic
rank. Today the gloves are usually dispensed with. COLUMNS:
From the Latin culmen meaning "a pillar to support or adorn a
building." In Masonry the symbolic Significance pertains to the
supports of a lodge: Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. COLUMNS,
WARDENS: Represent Jachin and Boaz. While the lodge is at work the
columns are erect and horizontal, respectively; while on refreshment,
such positions are reversed. COMMUNICATIONS:
The meetings of a Symbolic lodge. COMPASS:
A mathematical instrument for dividing and drawing circles; an
instrument indicating the magnetic meridian. COMPASSES:
One of the Working Tools. Freemasons have adopted the plural spelling
to distinguish it from the magnetic compass. CORNICE:
The ornamented slab placed above the capital of a pillar, and
extending beyond it. COWANS:
profanes, pretenders, intruders, particularly those seeking to obtain
the secrets of Masonry
unlawfully. CORNUCOPIA:
The horn of plenty; a symbol of abundance. CORN,
WINE, AND OIL: Three elements of consecration. In ancient times these
were regarded as the basic commodities for the support of life and
constituted the wealth of the people. Today in the U.S. we think of
corn as maize, but the original meaning is an edible grain or cereal.
The Hebrew word for corn means "to be increased or to
multiply." DAIS:
The platform, or raised floor, in the East of the lodge where the
Master sits. In the lodge, the steps to this should be three. The
Senior Warden's place should be raised two steps and that of the
junior Warden, one step. DARKNESS:
Symbolizes that state of ignorance before light (knowledge) is
received. D.D.G.M:
District Deputy Grand Master, an assistant who acts for the Grand
Master in a particular district. DEACON:
Comes from the Greek diakonos meaning "messenger or
waiting-man." "DEDICATED
TO THE MEMORY OF THE HOLY SAINTS JOHN.": Dedication is a less
sacred ceremony than consecration. Hence, lodges are consecrated to
God, but dedicated to patrons of the Fraternity. DEMIT
or DIMIT: A release; a resignation of membership; a paper certifying a
withdrawal from a lodge (or Masonic body) when in good standing. Both
spellings are used, although DIMIT is peculiar to Freemasonry only. In
the U.S. some jurisdictions use the former spelling, but the majority
use the latter, "Dimit." DESTITUTE:
lacking means, as without money or food. DIGEST:
Book of laws of a Grand Lodge in the U.S.; sometimes called The Code. DISPENSATION:
Permission to do that which would be forbidden otherwise. DISTRESS:
Physical or mental anguish. A brother in distress does not necessarily
mean that he is without funds. DOTAGE:
An advanced age when the mind is no longer able to comprehend clearly. DUE
EAST AND WEST: Moses built the Tabernacle due east and west and this
practice was carried on by the church builders. The Freemason travels
from the West to the East (light) in search of a Master from whom he
may gain instruction, or light, DUE
FORM: A Masonic body is opened or closed in "due form" when
performed fully according to a prescribed ritual. Distinguished from
"ample form." DUE
GUARD: A mode of recognition peculiar to Freemasons. DULY
AND TRULY PREPARED: That the candidate is truly prepared in his heart and
mind to receive further enlightenment; also, properly clothed,
Masonically. ECLIPTIC:
the imaginary line followed on the earth's surface by the direct ray
of the sun during the year. It niakes an angle of 23' 27' with the
equator. Jerusalem is located in approximately 31' 30' north attitude,
that is, approximately 7' 3' north of the ecliptic. EAR,
THE ATTENTIVE OR LISTENING: The Hebrew word means not only to hear,
but to understand and to obey. EAST:
From the Sun worshipers down through the ages, the East has always
been considered the most honored place because the sun rises in the
East and is the region from which light rises. EAVESDROPPER:
One who attempts to listen surreptitiously; literally, one standing
under the eaves and thus gets only the "droppings." EMBLEM:
A representation of an idea by a visible object; a symbolical figure
or design. EMBLEMATICAL:
symbolical, representing. EMBROIDERED:
having a border. ENTERED
APPRENTICE: In Operative Masonry the apprenticeship lasted seven
years; if then found acceptable, the apprentice’s name was entered
on the books of the lodge and he was given a recognized place in the
craft organization. EUCLID:
the first mathematician to Systematize the science of geometry. EXAMINATION:
the examination of a brother to determine his geniuses should not aim
at displaying the committee's knowledge. It is a test of the visitor.
He need not be able to answer questions from the Posting Lecture. He
should know the signs, grips, and words. EXPULSION:
Forcible ejection from membership for such reasons as un-Masonic
conduct, crimes, etc. It is the most severe of Masonic penalties and
deprives the person of all rights and privileges formerly enjoyed from
his lodge and the Fraternity as a whole. FAITH.
The evidence of things not seen; confidence; trust. FAITHFUL
BREAST: Symbolically, the initiate is instructed that the lessons he
has received are to be treasured in his heart and remembered, and not
to be forgotten; that which is told in confidence will be so held. FELLOWCRAFT:
A craftsman no longer an apprentice who has been admitted as full
member, but who has not yet reached the status of a master. The
fellowcraft age represents the stage of manhood. FEALTY:
Loyalty. FIAT
LUX ET LUX FIT: Latin motto meaning "Let there be light, and
there was light." FIDELITY:
faithfulness. FIRST
LANDMARKS OF MASONRY: Modes of recognition with no variation. FORM
OF A LODGE: An oblong square or parallelogram, twice as long as wide.
At the time of the Temple, the only known world was the Mediterranean
Sea and the countries to the north, south and east, forming an oblong.
Thus, the Freemason's lodge was the world itself. 47TH
PROPOSITION OF EUCLID: Derived its name from the fact that it was the
47th problem in Euclid's geometry. Sometimes called problem or
theorem, which are also correct. The 47th Proposition, or problem, is
to prove that in a right angled triangle, the sum of the squares of
the two sides is equal to the square of the hypotenuse. Masonically,
it is an emblem of the arts and sciences and reminds us that next to
sinfulness, the most dangerous enemy of life is ignorance. FRATERNITY:
A brotherhood, in which blood-bonds are replaced by a common
devotion to a principle, code, or creed. FREE
BORN: A free soul; one having attained mastery of himself by self
discipline. It is a misconception that this refers to one not born
into slavery. FREEMASONS:
The early builders in Operative Masonry times were free men, not serfs
or bondsmen and were free to move from one place to another as their
work demanded. Thus, they came to be called "Freemasons." FURNISHINGS
OF A LODGE: Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, Charter or Dispensation. "G":
The letter -G- is the Saxon representative of the Hebrew Yod and the
Greek Tau; The initial letter of the name of the Eternal in those
languages. It stands not only for God, but for Geometry, that science
so important to all Freemasons. G.A.O.T.U.:
Grand Architect of the Universe. GAVEL:
Derives its name from its shape-that of the gable or gavel end of a
house. It is a tool used by a stonemason and resembles a hammer having
a pointed end for cutting. The Working Tool gavel differs from the
upright gavel, or "Hiram." (See Hiram.) GOD:
The Hebrew words for Beauty, Strength, and Wisdom (the supports of
Freemasonry) are Gomer, Oz, and Dabar. The initials of these words
compose the English name of the Deity. GRAND
EAST: The place where the Grand Lodge holds its communications and
from which place the edicts are issued. GREAT
LIGHTS: The Holy Bible, Square and Compasses. The Bible represents the
will of God, the Square is the physical life of man and the Compasses
represents the moral and spiritual life. GRIPS:
Every brother following his raising should be taught to start with the
grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason and go through the grips, passes,
and words to the Grand Masonic Word. GUILD
(GILD) MASONS. GUTTURAL: From the Latin guttur meaning "the
throat." HISTORICAL:
According to history, verifiable, capable of documentary proof.
We also speak of traditional and legendary history, meaning
popular belief, not upheld by fact. HOMAGE:
respect, as applied to men; worship, as applied to deity. HOUR
GLASS: Emblem of life. HEALED:
Obligated in a degree which the Mason has not had conferred on him. To
"heal" is to "make valid." HELE:
Pronounced "hail" and means to keep guarded, or secret.
Sometimes spelled "hale." HEMISPHERE:
Half of the earth's surface, as the western hemisphere, the northern
hemisphere. HIEROGLYPHICS:
Literally the symbols in the priestly writings of the Egyptians.
Generally, a symbol or sign the meaning of which is known only to the
initiated. HIRAM:
An upright gavel made in the form of a maul and used by a presiding
officer. H.K.T:
Hiram, King of Tyre. HOODWINK:
A blindfold which is a symbol of secrecy; mystical darkness. HOUR
GLASS: An emblem of the passage of time. |