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(), n.[OE. masse, messe, AS. msse. LL. missa, from L. mittere, missum, to send, dismiss: cf. F. 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 these words : "Ite, missa est" [sc. ecclesia], 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. See Missile, and cf. Christmas, Lammas, Mess a dish, Missal.] 1. (R. C. Ch.) The sacrifice in the sacrament of the Eucharist, or the consecration and oblation of the host. 2. (Mus.) The portions of the Mass usually set to music, considered as a musical composition; -- namely, the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei, besides sometimes an Offertory and the Benedictus. Canon of the Mass. See Cano Mass (), v. i.[imp. & p. p.Massed (); p. pr. & vb. n.Massing.] To celebrate Mass. [Obs.] Hooker. Mass n.[OE. masse, F. masse, L. massa; akin to Gr. a barley cake, fr. to knead. Cf. Macerate.] 1. A quantity of matter cohering together so as to make one body, or an aggregation of particles or things which collectively make one body or quantity, usually of considerable size; as, a mass of ore, metal, sand, or water. If it were not for these principles, the bodies of the earth, planets, comets, sun, and all things in them, would grow cold and freeze, and become inactive masses. Sir I. Newton. A deep mass of continual sea is slower stirred To rage. Savile. 2. (Pharm.) A medicinal substance made into a cohesive, homogeneous lump, of consistency suitable for making pills; as, blue mass. 3. A large quantity; a sum. All the mass of gold that comes into Spain. Sir W. Raleigh. He had spent a huge mass of treasure. Sir J. Davies. 4. Bulk; magnitude; body; size. This army of such mass and charge. Shak. 5. The principal part; the main body. Night closed upon the pursuit, and aided the mass of Mass v. t.To form or collect into a mass; to form into a collective body; to bring together into masses; to assemble. But mass them together and they are terrible indeed. Coleridge. スポンサード リンク
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