mass

adjective2

1. •
   done or happening in very large numbers or amounts

   • There is evidence of mass extinctions in the distant past.
2. •
   Involving a mass of people; of, for, or by the masses.

   • Mass unemployment resulted from the financial collapse.

noun17

1. •
   Matter, material.
2. •
   A quantity of matter cohering so as to make one body, or an aggregation of particles or things which collectively make one body or quantity, usually of considerable size.

   • And 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 ; […]. — 1718
3. •
   A medicinal substance made into a cohesive, homogeneous lump, of consistency suitable for making pills.
4. •
   A palpable or visible abnormal globular structure.
5. •
   Excess body mass, especially in the form of muscle hypertrophy.

   • After all, muscle maniacs go "ga ga" over mass no matter how it's presented. — 1988
6. •
   A measure of the inertia of a mass of matter, one of four fundamental properties of matter. SI unit of mass: kilogram.
7. •
   A large quantity; a sum.

   • […]he hath discovered to me the way to five or six of the richest mines which the Spaniard hath, and whence all the mass of gold that comes into Spain in effect is drawn. — 1829
8. •
   A large body of individuals, especially persons.

   • The mass of spectators didn't see the infraction on the field.
   • A mass of ships converged on the beaches of Dunkirk.
9. •
   [in the plural] The lower classes of persons.

   • The masses are revolting.
10. •
    The Eucharist, now especially in Roman Catholicism.
11. •
    Celebration of the Eucharist.
12. •
    The main kind of church service, in some denominations.

    • She went to mass every Sunday for many years, and when she retired, she took to going on some weekdays, too.
13. •
    The sacrament of the Eucharist.
14. •
    The principal part; the main body.

    • Night closed upon the pursuit, and aided the mass of the fugitives in their escape. — 1881
15. •
    Bulk; magnitude; body; size.

    • Witness this army of such mass and charge / Led by a delicate and tender prince, — 1599
16. •
    A musical setting of parts of the mass.
17. •
    (no longer used) Precious metal, especially gold or silver.

    • Right in the midst the Goddesse selfe did stand / Upon an altar of some costly masse […]. — 1596

verb2

1. •
   To form or collect into a mass; to form into a collective body; to assemble.

   • They would unavoidably mix up the whole of these declarations, and mass them together, although the Judge might direct the Jury not to do so. — 1829
2. •
   (no longer used) To celebrate mass.

   • massing priests — 1594

noun3

1. •
   The principal liturgical service of the Church, encompassing both a scripture service (Liturgy of the Word) and a eucharistic service (Liturgy of the Eucharist), which includes the consecration and oblation (offering) of the host and wine.
2. •
   A similar ceremony offered by a number of Christian churches.
3. •
   A musical composition set to portions, or all, of the Mass.

noun1

1. •
   Abbreviation of Massachusetts: a state of the United States.

   • They gather one by one, trickling into the shady courtyard, the familiar hum of Mass. Ave. wafting in from behind brick buildings and iron gates. — 2005