Freemasonry
(ˈfriːmeɪs(ə)nrɪ)
[see -ry.]
† 1. The craft or occupation of a freemason. Obs.
| 1435 in Speth Freemasonry 4 [In 1435 ‘John Wode, masoun’, contracted to build the tower of the Abbey Church of St. Edmundsbury] in all mannere of thinges that longe to free masonry. |
2. The principles, practices, and institutions of freemasons.
| 1802 Edin. Rev. I. 6 The lodges of Free Masonry. Ibid. 14 He denies that the secret of freemasonry consists in liberty and equality. 1825 Macaulay Ess., Milton (1887) 24 Most of their absurdities were mere external badges, like the signs of freemasonry or the dresses of friars. |
3. fig. Secret or tacit brotherhood, instinctive sympathy.
| 1810 Scott Fam. Lett. 30 Mar. (1894) I. vi. 173 There is a freemasonry among kindred spirits..that always leads them to understand one another at little expense of words. 1847 Alb. Smith Chr. Tadpole vii. (1879) 68 There seemed to be a sort of free-masonry amongst them. 1860 Emerson Cond. Life, Culture Wks. (Bohn) II. 369 The gun, fishing-rod, boat, and horse, constitute among all who use them secret freemasonries. 1886 Mrs. Craik K. Arthur v. 178 The two children with the wonderful freemasonry of childhood..made friends immediately. |