n.
Pronunciation: ' mas
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mæsse, modification of Vulgar Latin *messa, literally, dismissal at the end of a religious service, from Late Latin missa, from Latin, feminine of missus, past participle of mittere to send
Date: before 12th century
1 capitalized : the liturgy of the Eucharist especially in accordance with the traditional Latin rite
2 often capitalized : a celebration of the Eucharist <Sunday mass es held at three different hours>
3 : a musical setting for the ordinary of the Mass