A
ABIF Meaning is his father .
ADONAI The lord.
ADVANCE Going from one degree to the next after showing proficiency in the prece
ding degree.
ADVERSE BALLOT In case the ballot on a petition for the degrees or for affiliat
ion is adverse, the Master may, if he so desires, spread the ballot again to mak
e certain no error occurred. In so doing, he should state his reason for the sec
ond spreading. The ballot shall not be spread a third time.
A.E.A.O.N.M.S - Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine
AGREEABLY In conformity with.
ALLEGORICAL An allegory is a story told through symbols, or an idea so expressed
.
ALLEGORY Analogy or comparison; a story told to illustrate a principle. It comes
from the Greek meaning to say something different.
ALL SEEING-EYE An emblem reminding us that we are constantly in God's presence.
ALPHA and OMEGA First and last Greek letters of the alphabet. The beginning and
the end of all things; the first and the last, often mentioned in the Scriptures
and in several of the Masonic degrees.
AMEN From the Hebrew meaning verily, truly, certainly. One person confirms the w
ords of another. Masonically, answered by So mote it be.
ANCIENT Old, time honored.
ANNO BENEFACIO (A.B.) Latin for In the Year of the Blessing. Used by the Order o
f High Priesthood for dating their documents. (1930 added to the current date.)
ANNO DEPOSITIONIS (A.Dep.) Latin for In the Year of the Deposit. The Cryptic Mas
onic date designation. (Add 1000 to the current date.)
ANNO DOMINI (A.D.) Latin for Year of our Lord.
ANNO INVENTIONIS (A.I.) Latin meaning In the Year of Discovery. The Royal Arch d
ate designation. (Add 530 to the current date.)
ANNO LUCIS (A.L.) Latin meaning In the Year of Light, the date used by Ancient
Craft Masonry. (Add 4000 to the current date.)
ANNO MUNDI (A.M.) Latin meaning In the Year of the World. The date used by the S
cottish Rite. (Add 3760 to the current year until September; if after September
, add 3761.
ANNO ORDINIS (A.0.) L thin meaning In the Year of e Order. The date used by the
Knights Templar. (Sul)tract 1118 from the current date.)
ANOINT To apply oil to, or pour oil on, particularly holy oil as a sign of eleva
tion to kingship or consecration to priesthood. Hence, anointed, one accepted by
the Lord, as The Lord's anointed. . Comes from the custom of the Egyptians and
Jews.
APPRENTICE Comes from the Latin word apprehendre meaning to grasp, to maste
r a thing. Hence, a learner.
APRON The badge of a Mason. Originally among priesthoods as a badge of office a
nd a means of ornamentation. The Masonic apron should be white lambskin, fourtee
n inches wide and twelve inches deep. It should be presented to the candidate at
his initiation and not at some subsequent time. No substitute should be used. F
rom the French word napron meaning an apron of cloth. From earliest times in Per
sia, Egypt, India, the Jewish Essenes, the white apron was a badge of honor and
candidates were invested with it, or a sash, or a robe. Its reference is to puri
ty of heart, to innocence of conduct.
ARCHITECT One who designs buildings.
ARCHITECTURE The art or science of building.
ARCHIVES a place for the safe keeping of records ; the records themselves.
ARTIFICER a craftsman or skilled laborer.
ARTS branches of learning, as in the lecture of the F.C. degree. In E.A. degree
skills.
ASHLAR a block of stone from which a column, capital, or other finished product
is carved or hewn.
ASHLAR A stone as taken from the quarry; an unpolished stone.
ATHEIST One who does not believe in God.
BEEHIVE Symbolic of systematized industry. What one may not be able to accomplis
h alone may be easily performed when all work together at one task.
BLAZING STAR Symbol of light; of Divine direction in the journey through life; s
ymbolizes a true Freemason who, by perfecting himself in the way of truth (knowl
edge), becomes like a blazing star. In English lodges, symbolizes sun which enli
ghtens the earth, dispensing its blessings to all mankind and giving light and l
ife to all things.
BLUE LODGE. A term which has grown into use over the years meaning the three deg
rees of the lodge, or Symbolic Masonry. In the early years, Master Masons wore b
lue lined aprons. Blue is symbolic of perfection, benevolence, truth, universal
friendship, fidelity.
BOAZ Comes from the Hebrew meaning in strength. The left hand pillar that stood
at the porch of King Solomon's Temple.
BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS An emblem of law signifying that our moral and spiritual c
haracter is grounded in law and order and that no man can live a satisfying life
who lives lawlessly.
BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS GUARDED BY THE TYLER S SWORD An admonishment to the Mason th
at he should be guarded in his words and actions; obedience to the law.
BOOK OF THE LAW The sacred book which reveals the will of God. To Christians, th
e Bible; to the Brahman, the Vedas, etc.
BRETHREN The term is used in speaking of Masons, and in this connection is prefe
rable to brothers.
BROKEN COLUMN Columns or pillars were used among the early Hebrews to signify no
bles or princes; it is from such that we get the expression pillar of the church
. Masonically, the broken column refers to the fall of one of the chief supporte
rs of the Craft; an untimely death.
CLANDESTINE not regular.
CABLE TOW The tie by which the candidate is bound to his brethren; the length of
a Mason's cable tow is the scope of his ability to go to the relief of a brothe
r in need. In early years the distance was three miles; in present time it is us
ually considered about forty miles.
CALENDAR, MASONIC Masons date their official documents in a manner peculiar to t
hemselves. The various dates for the different bodies are based on important poi
nts in history.
CANOPY a tent-like covering. Canopy of heaven, the sky.
CARDINAL POINTS East Wisdom; West Strength; South Beauty; North Darkness.
CARDINAL VIRTUES Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and justice are virtues of mor
ality as laid down by Plato. Cardinal comes from the Latin cardo meaning chief o
r fundamental.
CATECHISM Instructions of Freemasonry.
CEDARS Members of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, a non-Masonic organization compose
d of Freemasons.
CELESTIAL CANOPY Symbolic covering of the lodge; heavenly.
CEMENT Brotherly love binds Freemasons of all countries, races and creeds in on
e common brotherhood.
CHECKERED FLOOR The Mosaic Pavement.
CHRISTIAN VIRTUES Faith, Hope, and Charity.
CHALK, CHARCOAL, AND CLAY Freedom, fervency, and zeal.
CHAPITERS the ornamental tops or capitals of pillars.
CHARTER a document setting forth a set of granted rights and privileges given by
the Grand Lodge to the constituent Lodge at the tinic of Constitution. The Mas
ter is its custodian, and must see to its security at all times. The charter mu
st be in the Lodge room during all communications of the Lodge, preferably in th
e Master's charge, but it may be on the Secretary's desk, or in the archives of
the Lodge. It should not be framed to hang on the wall. The request of a visito
r to inspect the charter in advance be granted or refused. Should the charter b
e lost or destroyed, the Grand Master or Grand Secretary should be notified at o
nce. Pending the issuing of a duplicate charter, a permission, or dispensation t
o continue work should be obtained from the Grand Master.
CHASTEN To correct by discipline.
CIRCLE A figure which has neither beginning nor end and symbolizes eternity; the
universe.
CIRCURNAMBULATION The movement is in imitation of the apparent course of the su
n, and so is in the form of an ellipse. After the obligation the Senior Deacon
with the candidate should make all turns square.
CIRCUMSCRIBED literally encircled hence limited.
CLOTHED, PROPERLY With white gloves and apron, and the jewel of his Masonic rank
. Today the gloves are usually dispensed with.
COLUMNS From the Latin culmen meaning a pillar to support or adorn a building. I
n Masonry the symbolic Significance pertains to the supports of a lodge Wisdom,
Strength and Beauty.
COLUMNS, WARDENS Represent Jachin and Boaz. While the lodge is at work the colum
ns are erect and horizontal, respectively; while on refreshment, such positions
are reversed.
COMMUNICATIONS The meetings of a Symbolic lodge.
COMPASS A mathematical instrument for dividing and drawing circles; an instrumen
t indicating the magnetic meridian.
COMPASSES One of the Working Tools. Freemasons have adopted the plural spelling
to distinguish it from the magnetic compass.
CORNICE The ornamented slab placed above the capital of a pillar, and extending
beyond it.
COWANS profanes, pretenders, intruders, particularly those seeking to obtain the
secrets of Masonry unlawfully.
CORNUCOPIA The horn of plenty; a symbol of abundance.
CORN, WINE, AND OIL Three elements of consecration. In ancient times these were
regarded as the basic commodities for the support of life and constituted the we
alth of the people. Today in the U.S. we think of corn as maize, but the origina
l meaning is an edible grain or cereal. The Hebrew word for corn means to be inc
reased or to multiply.
DAIS The platform, or raised floor, in the East of the lodge where the Master si
ts. In the lodge, the steps to this should be three. The Senior Warden's place s
hould be raised two steps and that of the junior Warden, one step.
DARKNESS Symbolizes that state of ignorance before light (knowledge) is received
.
D.D.G.M District Deputy Grand Master, an assistant who acts for the Grand Master
in a particular district.
DEACON Comes from the Greek diakonos meaning messenger or waiting-man.
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE HOLY SAINTS JOHN. Dedication is a less sacred cer
emony than consecration. Hence, lodges are consecrated to God, but dedicated to
patrons of the Fraternity.
DEMIT or DIMIT A release; a resignation of membership; a paper certifying a with
drawal from a lodge (or Masonic body) when in good standing. Both spellings are
used, although DIMIT is peculiar to Freemasonry only. In the U.S. some jurisdict
ions use the former spelling, but the majority use the latter, Dimit.
DESTITUTE lacking means, as without money or food.
DIGEST Book of laws of a Grand Lodge in the U.S.; sometimes called The Code.
DISPENSATION Permission to do that which would be forbidden otherwise.
DISTRESS Physical or mental anguish. A brother in distress does not necessarily
mean that he is without funds.
DOTAGE An advanced age when the mind is no longer able to comprehend clearly.
DUE EAST AND WEST Moses built the Tabernacle due east and west and this practice
was carried on by the church builders. The Freemason travels from the West to t
he East (light) in search of a Master from whom he may gain instruction, or ligh
t,
DUE FORM A Masonic body is opened or closed in due form when performed fully acc
ording to a prescribed ritual. Distinguished from ample form.
DUE GUARD A mode of recognition peculiar to Freemasons.
DULY AND TRULY PREPARED That the candidate is truly prepared in his heart
and mind to receive further enlightenment; also, properly clothed, Masonically.
ECLIPTIC the imaginary line followed on the earth's surface by the direct ray of
the sun during the year. It niakes an angle of 23' 27' with the equator. Jerusa
lem is located in approximately 31' 30' north attitude, that is, approximately 7
' 3' north of the ecliptic.
EAR, THE ATTENTIVE OR LISTENING The Hebrew word means not only to hear, but to u
nderstand and to obey.
EAST From the Sun worshipers down through the ages, the East has always been con
sidered the most honored place because the sun rises in the East and is the regi
on from which light rises.
EAVESDROPPER One who attempts to listen surreptitiously; literally, one standing
under the eaves and thus gets only the droppings.
EMBLEM A representation of an idea by a visible object; a symbolical figure or d
esign.
EMBLEMATICAL symbolical, representing.
EMBROIDERED having a border.
ENTERED APPRENTICE In Operative Masonry the apprenticeship lasted seven years; i
f then found acceptable, the apprentice s name was entered on the books of the lod
ge and he was given a recognized place in the craft organization.
EUCLID the first mathematician to Systematize the science of geometry.
EXAMINATION the examination of a brother to determine his geniuses should not ai
m at displaying the committee's knowledge. It is a test of the visitor. He need
not be able to answer questions from the Posting Lecture. He should know the sig
ns, grips, and words.
EXPULSION Forcible ejection from membership for such reasons as un-Masonic condu
ct, crimes, etc. It is the most severe of Masonic penalties and deprives the per
son of all rights and privileges formerly enjoyed from his lodge and the Fratern
ity as a whole.
FAITH. The evidence of things not seen; confidence; trust.
FAITHFUL BREAST Symbolically, the initiate is instructed that the lessons he has
received are to be treasured in his heart and remembered, and not to be forgott
en; that which is told in confidence will be so held.
FELLOWCRAFT A craftsman no longer an apprentice who has been admitted as full me
mber, but who has not yet reached the status of a master. The fellowcraft age re
presents the stage of manhood.
FEALTY Loyalty.
FIAT LUX ET LUX FIT Latin motto meaning Let there be light, and there was light.
FIDELITY faithfulness.
FIRST LANDMARKS OF MASONRY Modes of recognition with no variation.
FORM OF A LODGE An oblong square or parallelogram, twice as long as wide. At the
time of the Temple, the only known world was the Mediterranean Sea and the coun
tries to the north, south and east, forming an oblong. Thus, the Freemason's lod
ge was the world itself.
47TH PROPOSITION OF EUCLID Derived its name from the fact that it was the 47th p
roblem in Euclid's geometry. Sometimes called problem or theorem, which are also
correct. The 47th Proposition, or problem, is to prove that in a right angled t
riangle, the sum of the squares of the two sides is equal to the square of the h
ypotenuse. Masonically, it is an emblem of the arts and sciences and reminds us
that next to sinfulness, the most dangerous enemy of life is ignorance.
FRATERNITY A brotherhood, in which blood-bonds are replaced by a common devotio
n to a principle, code, or creed.
FREE BORN A free soul; one having attained mastery of himself by self discipline
. It is a misconception that this refers to one not born into slavery.
FREEMASONS The early builders in Operative Masonry times were free men, not serf
s or bondsmen and were free to move from one place to another as their work dema
nded. Thus, they came to be called Freemasons.
FURNISHINGS OF A LODGE Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, Charter or Dispensation
.
G The letter -G- is the Saxon representative of the Hebrew Yod and the Greek Tau
; The initial letter of the name of the Eternal in those languages. It stands no
t only for God, but for Geometry, that science so important to all Freemasons.
G.A.O.T.U. Grand Architect of the Universe.
GAVEL Derives its name from its shape-that of the gable or gavel end of a house.
It is a tool used by a stonemason and resembles a hammer having a pointed end f
or cutting. The Working Tool gavel differs from the upright gavel, or Hiram. (Se
e Hiram.)
GOD The Hebrew words for Beauty, Strength, and Wisdom (the supports of Freemason
ry) are Gomer, Oz, and Dabar. The initials of these words compose the English na
me of the Deity.
GRAND EAST The place where the Grand Lodge holds its communications and from whi
ch place the edicts are issued.
GREAT LIGHTS The Holy Bible, Square and Compasses. The Bible represents the will
of God, the Square is the physical life of man and the Compasses represents the
moral and spiritual life.
GRIPS Every brother following his raising should be taught to start with the gri
p of an Entered Apprentice Mason and go through the grips, passes, and words to
the Grand Masonic Word.
GUILD (GILD) MASONS. GUTTURAL From the Latin guttur meaning the throat.
HISTORICAL According to history, verifiable, capable of documentary proof. We a
lso speak of traditional and legendary history, meaning popular belief, not uphe
ld by fact.
HOMAGE respect, as applied to men; worship, as applied to deity.
HOUR GLASS Emblem of life.
HEALED Obligated in a degree which the Mason has not had conferred on him. To he
al is to make valid.
HELE Pronounced hail and means to keep guarded, or secret. Sometimes spelled hal
e.
HEMISPHERE Half of the earth's surface, as the western hemisphere, the northern
hemisphere.
HIEROGLYPHICS Literally the symbols in the priestly writings of the Egyptians. G
enerally, a symbol or sign the meaning of which is known only to the initiated.
HIRAM An upright gavel made in the form of a maul and used by a presiding office
r.
H.K.T Hiram, King of Tyre.
HOODWINK A blindfold which is a symbol of secrecy; mystical darkness.
HOUR GLASS An emblem of the passage of time.
