Masonic Words

Masonic Ritual Words
in the United States

Masonic words in many of Freemasonry's old ritual books, have become somewhat archaic (seldom used in our modern language).

Since we do not use many of them in our everyday speech, we may be a bit unsure of their exact meaning. ..even if we dislike to admit it.

However, their meanings are very important for us to truly "feel" Freemasonry's power, its beauty and its truths.

Below are many of the archaic Masonic words used in Masonic ritual in the United States.

The following poem is by Walter K. Belt, from "A Masonic Thought For Each Day of the Year", Missouri Lodge of Research, Volume 28, by Alphonse Cerza, published in 1971, copyrighted in 1972.

It speaks to us of the necessity to not only speak and learn the Masonic words of the craft, but to learn the meaning of these Masonic words and phrases.

A to Z Poem

We should know every letter

In our Craft's alphabet;

And some of them are better

Than others are, and yet

Each one as an initial

Some phase of brotherhood

may show as beneficial,

And all of them are good.

If we would praise be earning,

We'll let our brothers see

We have sufficient learning

To go from A to Z.

Then let us all work harder,

Show how we really feel.

Yes, let us start with Ardor,

And let us end with Zeal.

Masonic Words in Everyday Language

Like most words in the English language, many of the Masonic words within the Craft, below, have multiple meanings, e.g.: "Manifold": Vehicle engines have manifolds, however Masonically, the word, "Manifold" denotes a whole entity which is composed of many and diverse elements.

The reason for this is because as our English language has changed over the years, many of these Masonic words have fallen into dis-use.

In the list below, if there are multiple meanings of Masonic words, they have been omitted, to provide you with a basic Fast Track, (easy-to-learn), Fat Free (non-wordy) understanding of only their Masonic meanings to assist you in your quest for light.

Masonic Words

Ardor:	Fiery intensity of feeling.
Admonish:	To gently and constructively counsel another person.
Allegory	A literary style that uses symbols, characters or events to suggestively represent an abstract idea.
Allude	A hint. To make a somewhat disguised reference about a person, place or thing.
Archaic	Out of use. So extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period.
Aspersion	An unfavorable or damaging remark.
Barbarous	Lacking refinement or culture. Coarse, very cruel, savage.
Benediction	A ceremonial prayer requesting divine protection
Beneficent	A benefit. Doing or producing good.
Beseech	To earnestly ask or request.
Bourne	An archaic term for a goal or destination
Candor	Candid. The quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech.
Celestial	Relating to Heaven or the spirit.
Censure	Harsh criticism or disapproval.
Circumscribe	To draw a line or a boundary around.
Circumspection	Knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress by being prudent.
Conciliates	Compromise. The ability to come to terms in the interests of obtaining good will.
Conform	The ability to adapt oneself.
Consecrated	Solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high purpose, usually a Holy purpose.
Contrive	To come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort.
Convex	Curving or bulging outward.
Countenance	Consent to or give permission.
Cowans	Profanes, pretenders, intruders, eavesdroppers. Those seeking to obtain the Masonic words and secrets of Masonry without having been admitted to the fraternity.
Delineate	To accurately depict a shape. To draw or trace the outline of; sketch out.
Deluge	An overwhelming number or amount of an item;..as in a deluge of rain.
Demean	To reduce in worth or character.

Deportment	A manner of personal conduct or behavior.
Derogatory	Implies contempt or disapproval, ...such as a derogatory remark.
Diligent	Taking care, patience and perseverance in carrying out tasks.
Discerning	Having, revealing and exercising keen insight and good judgment.
Discordant	Conflicting. Not in agreement or harmony.
Discreet	Tactful. Good at keeping secrets, or subtle and unobtrusive.
Diurnal	Occurring in the daytime. Belonging to the period of daylight. (This is one of the Masonic words which few people understand its meaning.)
Divest	To deprive, remove or take away possessions from someone.
Eavesdropper	One who stands under the eaves, or near the window or door of a house, to listen; hence, a secret listener.
Ecliptic	Astronomic plane containing the Earth's orbit about the Sun. An imaginary line followed on the earth's surface by the direct ray of the Sun during the year. Solomon's temple, located in Jerusalem, is north of this line.
Edifice	A building. Especially a large or impressive one.
Emblematic	Serving as a visible symbol for something abstract; e.g.: as a crown is emblematic of royalty.
Emulation	To copy. An effort made to imitate another person's actions.
Endue	To endow. To provide with a quality or trait.
Esteem	To regard with respect and consideration.
Exalted	Noble. Elevated in rank, character, or status.
Exhort	To make an urgent appeal.
Expedient	Practical. Most appropriate to a purpose.
Fallacy	A false, erroneous or mistaken idea.
Fervency	Feelings of great warmth and intensity.
Firmament	The vault or expanse of the heavens; the sky.
Fruition	To bear fruit. To fulfill.
Grand Artificer	Deity. Creator of the Universe. Master Architect. God, Allah, YHWH, etc..
Homage	Expression of high regard. Showing respect or attesting to the worth or influence of another person.
Hypocrisy	Falsely assuming the appearance of virtue or religion.

Immemorial	Extending back or existing since beyond the reach of memory, record, or tradition. Example: Time immemorial.
Implore	To earnestly call or pray for.
Inclemencies	Physical severity or harshness (commonly in respect to the elements or weather); roughness; storminess; rigor; severe cold, wind, rain, or snow.
Inculcated	To be taught. To implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly.
Incumbent	Obligatory. A duty to which one is obliged to perform.
Indissoluble	Firm. Stable. Incapable of being dissolved, decomposed or destroyed.
Ineffable	Not to be spoken because of its sacredness. Unutterable: such as the ineffable name of the Deity.
Insidious	Stealthily treacherous or deceitful.
Inundation	To overwhelm. To flood.
Invoking	To call on for aid or protection; to invite earnestly or solemnly; to summon; to address in prayer; to solicit or demand by invocation; to implore; as, to invoke the Supreme Being, or to invoke (appeal for) His blessing.
Laudable	Deserving commendation; praiseworthy.
Licentious	Illegal or Immoral. Disregard of rules.
Manifold	A whole entity which is composed of many and diverse elements. Ex: Manifold destiny.
Mercenary	Motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain.
Meridian	The position of the sun at noon.
Monitorial	Method of mutual instruction.
Nicety	Detail, exactness or precision.
Obdurate	Hard; firm; unbending; inflexible; unyielding; stubborn.
Oppress	To impose excessive burdens upon; to overload; hence, to treat with unjust rigor.
Palliate	To try to mitigate, lessen, cover for or conceal the gravity of (an offense) by excuses, apologies, etc.
Patronize	Regularly attend.
Pervade	Permeate, diffuse. To spread through.
Pilasters	An ornamental and structural column that usually projects about a third of its width from the wall to which it is attached and contains a base and a capital (ornamental piece) on top. A pilaster is part of a wall, whereas a column is free-standing.
Pious	Reverence. Having or showing strong religious feelings and devotion toward the Creator.

Precepts	A rule or principle prescribing a particular course of action or conduct.
Prone	Lying flat. Prostrate.
Prudent	Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense. Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident. Careful about one's conduct; circumspect.
Prudential	Wise. Exercising good judgment and common sense.
Recapitulate	Summary. To repeat in a concise form. Short form. Recap.
Rectitude	Rightness. Correctness of conduct and principle.
Reformation	Improvement. Betterment. Correction of an imperfect state. Reform.
Reign	Rule. To have control, or influence over.
Reprehend	Reprimand. Disapprove.
Reverential	Honor. Esteem, Revere, Adore. A feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe.
Salutary	Wholesome. Promoting or conducive to some beneficial purpose. A purpose which deserves a salute.
Seraphic	A pure, angelic and burning love or ardor. A Seraphim is one of a class of celestial beings with 6 wings...some believe they are the first of the nine classes of angels. They are mentioned in the Old Testament in Issaiah. 6:2, 3, 6, 7. Seraph means "fiery ones", an allusion, it is supposed, to their burning love. They are represented as "standing"..."hovering"?... above the King as he sat upon his throne, ready at once to minister unto him. Their form appears to have been human, with the addition of their 3 sets of wings.
Shewbread	Showbread. 1 Sam. 21:1-6. This bread consisted of twelve loaves made of the finest flour. They were flat and thin, and were placed in two rows of six each on a table in the holy place before the Lord. They were renewed every Sabbath (Lev. 24:5-9), and those that were removed to give place to the new ones were to be eaten by the priests only in the holy place (see 1 Sam. 21:3-6; comp. Matt. 12:3, 4). The number of the loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and also the entire spiritual Israel, "the true Israel;" and the placing of them on the table symbolized the entire consecration of Israel to the Lord, and their acceptance of God as their God. The table for the bread was made of acacia wood, 3 feet long, 18 inches broad, and 2 feet 3 inches high. It was plated with pure gold. Two staves, plated with gold, passed through golden rings, were used for carrying it.
Shewed	Showed. An archaic word meaning to show, display or exhibit.
Solicit	Request. To petition for something which is desired.
Sublime	Ultimate. The greatest or most supreme and elevated degree. Awe-inspiring. Exalted.
Subservient	Useful. Serving or acting in a subordinate capacity through a sense of duty. Compliant and obedient to authority because of a deep understanding of the whole.
Subsisted	To Exist. To Be.
Sundry	Various and Diverse. Many.
Superficies	Superficial. Outward appearance. Shallow. Without depth. Residing on a single plane.
Superfluities	Excesses. That which is not needed.
Sustenance	Nourishment. That which is needed to sustain life.
Symmetry	Beauty as a result of balance and a harmonious arrangement. Excellence of proportion. Regularity of form or arrangement in terms of like, reciprocal, or corresponding parts.
Synonomous	Synonymous. Same. Like. Expressing or implying the same idea.
Tabernacle	A place of worship. Shelter. A temporary dwelling place.

Temperate	Moderate. Not extreme in behavior.
Tempest	Violent disturbance such as a storm or tornado.
Temporal	Temporary. For a limited time.
Tenets	Principles.
Tesselated	Checkered. Pertaining to or like mosaic tiling. The word "tessella" means small square.
Unbiased	Fair and impartial. Without bias.
Unfeigned	Real. Sincere. Unfaked.
Unsullied	Pure. Honorable. Clean. Untainted.
Venerable	Extremely old. Worthy of Respect. Revered.
Vertex	The highest point of something. The point of intersection of lines or the point opposite the base of a figure, as the top point of a triangle or a mountain.
Vicissitudes	Changes. Fluctuations. Variations.
Vouchsafe	To promise or agree, condescendingly, because it is in your power; to bestow a special favor. To vouch as safe.
Waft	Cause to move to and fro.
Wrought	Created. Made. Designed.
Zeal	With passion. Fervor. Eager and ardent interest in pursuit of something.

Go Dark The Masonic words "go dark" have a two-fold meaning. Click on the link to read more about it.

Anno Lucis

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