What is mass? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of mass

massnoun

khối, khối lượng, quần chúng, đại chúng

/mas/

Definition & pronunciation of <b>mass</b>

Where does the word mass come from?

The word "mass" has its roots in Latin and has undergone significant changes over the centuries. The Latin term "missa" referred to the dismissal or sending away of the congregation at the end of a Christian prayers service. Over time, the term evolved to mean the celebration of the Eucharist, or the central act of worship in the Christian tradition. In the 14th century, the term "mass" emerged in Middle English, derived from the Old French "masse," which was itself borrowed from Latin "missa." Initially, the term referred specifically to the Eucharist, but eventually expanded to encompass various forms of Christian worship and celebration. Today, the word "mass" is used in many languages to describe a wide range of Christian worship services, from the Catholic Mass to Protestant communion services and beyond.

Vocabulary summary mass

typenoun

meaning(religion) ceremony

examplemasses of dark clouds gathered in the sky

typenoun

meaningblock, pile

examplemasses of dark clouds gathered in the sky

meaningplural, majority, majority

examplethe mass of the nations

meaning(physics) mass

examplecritical mass

Example of vocabulary massnamespace

meaning

a large amount of a substance that does not have a definite shape or form

  • She saw a large dark mass in the water.
  • The hill appeared as a black mass in the distance.
  • a mass of snow and rocks falling down the mountain
  • The sky was full of dark masses of clouds.
meaning

a large amount or quantity of something

  • a mass of blonde hair
  • I began sifting through the mass of evidence.
  • Both titles give readers a mass of information.
meaning

a large number of people or things grouped together, often in a confused way

  • I struggled through the mass of people to the exit.
  • The page was covered with a mass of figures.
  • a chaotic mass of ideas
meaning

a large number or amount of something

  • There were masses of people in the shops yesterday.
  • I've got masses of work to do.
  • Don't give me any more. I've eaten masses!
  • There is masses of cake left over from the party.
meaning

the ordinary people in society who are not leaders or who are considered to be not very well educated

  • government attempts to suppress dissatisfaction among the masses
  • a TV programme that brings science to the masses
  • the image of America with arms open wide to the world's huddled masses
meaning

the most; the majority

  • The reforms are unpopular with the mass of teachers and parents.
  • Their policies appeal to the broad mass of the population.
meaning

the quantity of material that something contains

  • calculating the mass of a planet
  • a mass of 46.3 kg

Synonyms and related words for mass

Idioms of vocabulary mass

be a mass of something
to be full of or covered with something
  • The rose bushes are a mass of flowers in June.
  • Her arm was a mass of bruises.

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