mast

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
mast1

▶noun

• 1 a tall upright post, spar, or other structure on a boat, in sailing vessels generally carrying a sail or sails.

• 2 any tall upright post, especially a flagpole or a television or radio transmitter.

– phrases
before the mast historical serving as an ordinary seaman.
nail (or pin) one's colours to the mast declare openly and firmly what one believes.

– derivatives
-masted adjective.

– origin OE mæst, of W. Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
mast2

▶noun the fruit of beech, oak, chestnut, and other forest trees, especially as food for pigs.

– origin OE mæst, of W. Gmc origin.