mass house

A contemptuous name for a Roman Catholic place of worship. *ma -priest, *ma e-priest, s. Originally a priest whose functions were confined to saying ma , either in a religious house or in a chantry, for the repose of a soul of a benefactor. As a rule, these clerics knew little theology, and hence the name came to have an opprobrious meaning. mă , v. t. [MASS (1), 8.] 1. To gather or collect in a ma or ma es; to a emble in crowds. *2. To strengthen, as a building, for the purposes of fortification. ( Hayward .) *mă , v . i . [MASS (2), s.) To celebrate ma . Ma -a-chū-setts, s. [Named from a tribe of Am. Indians. One of the original thirteen States of the U. U. S. A., nicknamed "the Bay State." Bounded W. by New York, N. by Vermont and New Hampshire, E. by the Atlantic and Ma achusetts bay, and S. by Connecticut, Rhode Island and the Atlantic. Area, 8,315 square miles. The State is traversed from N. to S. by the Connecticut river. The coast line is indented with deep and extensive bays, having excellent harbors. In shipping it ranks second only to New York. The means of internal communication are ample through a complete system of railways and several navigable rivers. It has flourishing manufactures, commerce and fisheries, and its educational institution are of the highest order. The climate varies according to elevation, but is generally dry and healthy. Principal cities, Boston, the capital and metropolis; Worcester, Taunton, Springfield, Lynn, Lowell, Lawrence, Fall River, Holyoke and Cambridge.