masonry

From Middle English masonry, masonrie, partly from Old French maçonerie and partly from mason +‎ -ry.

• IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪsənɹi/

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masonry (countable and uncountable, plural masonries)

1. The art or occupation of a mason.

   He studied masonry for five years.

2. The work or performance of a mason

   The masonry was exquisite.

3. That which is built by a mason; anything constructed of the materials used by masons, such as stone, brick, tiles, or the like. Dry masonry is applied to structures made without mortar.

   The masonry was cracked.

   • 1980, Robert M. Jones, editor, Walls and Ceilings, Time-Life Books, →ISBN, page 56:

     Many houses built between the Civil War and 1940 have masonry walls, usually of brick, with the inside surfaces covered by a layer of plaster.

4. The craft, institution, or mysteries of Freemasons; Freemasonry.

• stonecraft
• stonework

• Maynors