mason
This term describes a skilled artisan specializing in the structural use of stone and brick. It carries a connotation of permanence, craftsmanship, and physical labor, often associated with historical architecture and the enduring nature of stone monuments. In a social context, the word refers to a member of the Freemasons. This usage shifts the meaning from a literal trade to a symbolic one, where the tools of stonemasonry represent moral and spiritual self-improvement within a secret society.
Meanings
A person whose profession is cutting, shaping, and laying stone or brick to build structures.
"The skilled mason carefully laid the foundation stones for the cottage."
A member of the Freemasons, a fraternal organization based on stonemasonry traditions.
"He joined the local lodge after discovering his grandfather had been a mason."