| acacia |
Any of various chiefly tropical trees of the genus Acacia, having compound leaves and tight clusters of small yellow or white flowers. |
| approbation |
approval, comrnendation or praise; a formal or official act of approval |
| brute creation |
animals at their birth; anything non-human in its infancy |
| cleaves |
On of the few words in English which mean two exactly opposite things. ‘Comes apart from’ or ‘joins with,’ ‘separates into distinct parts’ or ‘joins in a common mass,’ ‘splits’ or ‘unites.’ |
| dotage |
a decline of mental faculties associated with old age; a state or period of senile decay marked by decline of mental poise and alertness |
| emulation |
ambitious rivalry; ambition or desire to equal or excel others in achievement |
| fiat |
an authoritative decree, sanction or order; a command or act of will that creates something without, or as if without, further effort; an arbitrary decree or order |
| hecatomb |
100 oxen or cattle (in ancient Greece a public sacrifice of 100 oxen to the gods in thanks for some great discovery, event or victory) |
| Hiram Abif |
According to Masonic myth, Grand Master Hiram Abif was the son of a widow sent to King Solomon to serve as the Chief Architect and artificer of Solomon's Temple. In Masonic legend it is said that three FCs unjustly desired to know the secret Word of a Master Mason, and that they murdered Hiram when he refused to give it to them. In Masonry he is associated with the Pillar of Beauty, the South of the Lodge, and the office of Junior Warden. |
| imbrue |
stain; soak; drench |
| injunction |
a warning, order, direction or instruction |
| King Hiram of Tyre |
According to Masonic myth, King Hiram supplied many of the workers and materials necessary for building King Solomon's Temple. In Masonry this Grand Master is associated with the Pillar of Strength, the West of the Lodge, and the office of Senior Warden. |
| King Solomon |
Noted in the Bible as the son of King David and the builder of the Temple in Jerusalem, King Solomon was legendary for his wisdom in serving the people of Israel, and many believe that he authored the books of Proverbs and the Song of Songs. In Masonry this Grand Master is associated wih the Pillar of Wisdom, the East of the Lodge, and the office of Worshipful Master. |
| Master |
The elected leader of the local lodge; also the title a Mason acquires once he has completed the third degree of membership. |
| Master Mason (MM) |
One who has been raised to the third degree of Masonry, also called the "Sublime Degree". MMs are charged to continue the work they began as EAs and FCs, but also to act as agents of brotherly love and to seek the Lost Word. The tools of MMs include all the instruments of Masonry, but especially the trowel. |
| Master Mason's Word |
also known as the Lost Word or True Word. According to Masonic myth, this word was a Masonic secret originally known only to the ancient three Grand Masters: King Solomon, King Hiram of Tyre, and Hiram Abif. Strangely, when Hiram Abif was murdered King Solomon lamented that the Word was lost, though he also declared that a key to the Word might be found on or near Hiram's body. King Solomon made provisions for a "Substitute Word" to be used until future Masons could recover the True Word.
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| seraph |
an order of angels; one of the 6-winged angels standing in the presence of God |
| speculative |
theoretical rather than practical; involving, or based on, intellectual questioning and curiosity; marked by meditating or pondering on a subject |
| sublime |
lofty, grand or exalted in thought; expression or manner; of outstanding spiritual, intellectual or moral worth; tending to inspire awe |
| zeal |
enthusiasm; diligence; eagerness and great interest in pursuit of something |
