Masonic Glossary
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Entered Apprentice | Fellow Craft | Master Mason | Other Terms
appertaining |
belonging to, or connected with, as a rightful part or attribute; relating to |
archives |
a place in which records and historical documents and items are preserved |
bade |
told; ordered; requested; directed |
cable's length |
a maritime unit of length; about 100 fathoms or 600 feet |
cable tow |
a twisted rope, usually of cotton or synthetic material, used symbolically to bind or make fast; originally a particularly strong rope also, a compound word of Masonic coinage combining cable (a rope) and tow (a rope for pulling). |
cardinal |
of basic importance; main; primary; essential; principal |
circumscribe |
to draw a line around; to limit in range of activity definitely and clearly |
circumspection |
carefulness in considering all circumstances and possible consequences |
clad |
covered or clothed |
conduce |
to lead or tend to a particular and desirable result |
corporeal |
having, consisting of, or relating to, a physical material body; not intangible |
divested |
to deprive or take away from; to undress or remove clothing, ornaments or equipment |
due |
proper; according to accepted standards or procedures |
engrave |
to cut figures or letters into wood or metal |
Entered Apprentice (EA) |
An initiate of the first degree in Masonry. EAs are charged to work primarily at improving their moral character. The tools of an EA include the 24-inch gauge and common gavel. |
equivocation |
to avoid committing oneself to what one says; uncertainty; uncertain or questioning disposition or mind |
etch |
to produce as a pattern on a hard service by eating into the material's surface as with acid or a laser beam |
fellow |
a member of a group having common characteristics; an associate; an equal in rank or power or character |
fortitude |
strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger, or bear pain or adversity, with courage |
guttural |
of, or having to do with, or involving the throat |
hail, hele, hale |
to hide or conceal; to cover; to keep out of view |
hoodwink |
a blindfold |
hoodwinked |
blindfolded |
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens |
that which lies beyond death; heaven (II Corinthians 5:1) |
immemorial |
extending or existing since beyond the reach of memory, record or tradition |
impart |
to give; to communicate knowledge of something; to make known; tell; relate |
indite |
to write down; to put down in writing |
intrinsic |
belonging to a thing by its very nature; the essential nature or constitution of a thing; inherent; in and of itself |
invest |
to give; to furnish; to clothe |
inviolate |
not broken or disregarded; not told to others; respected |
light |
knowledge or understanding |
manual |
of, or having to do with, or involving the hands |
Mercenary |
Motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain; greedy, venal. |
mystery |
the secret or specialized practices or ritual peculiar to an occupation or a body of people; rites or secrets known only to those initiated |
passions |
great emotion; the emotions as distinguished from reason; powerful or compelling feelings or desires |
pectoral |
in, on, or of the chest |
pedal |
of, or relating to, the foot or feet |
precepts |
a principal or instruction intended especially as a general rule of action |
prudence |
the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason; skill and good judgement in the management of affairs or the use of resources; caution or circumspection as to danger or risk |
Saints John |
Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist, the two ancient patron saints of Freemasonry |
shod |
wearing footgear, with shoes on |
steady |
constant in feeling, principle, purpose or attachment; dependable; firm in intent showing little variation or fluctuation; unwavering; resolute |
subdue |
to bring under control especially by an exertion of the will; to reduce the intensity or degree of; tone down |
superfluity |
excess; unnecessary; immoderate, especially living habits or desires |
superfluous |
exceeding what is needed; excess; extra; not needed; unnecessary |
temperance |
moderation in action, thought or feeling; self-restraint; a habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions; moderation in, or abstinence from, the use of intoxicating substances |
tongue of good report |
having a good reputation; those who know you report that you are a good report man; a credit to yourself and to society |
usual vocation |
your job; the manner in which you make your living |
vouch |
assert; affirm; attest; to verify; to supply supporting testirnony; to support as being true |
vouchsafe |
to grant or furnish; to give by way of reply |
warden |
an official having care or charge of some administrative aspect or an organization or some special supervisory duties; a British term used in the Episcopal Church and at various colleges and in government functions. In Masonry, a position equivalent to a First or Second Vice President. |
worshipful |
notable; distinguished; worthy of respect; a British term used as a title for various persons or groups of rank or distinction |
