a person employed, under the direction of an architect, in raising of a stone-building.

Free and accepted Masons, a very ancient society or body of men, so called, either from some extraordinary knowledge of masonry or building, which they are supposed to be masters of, or because the first founders of the society were persons of that profession. These are now very considerable, both for number and character, being found in every country in Europe, and consisting principally of persons of merit and consideration. As to antiquity, they lay claim to a standing of some thousand years. What the end of their institution is, seems still in some measure a secret; and they are said to be admitted into the fraternity by being put in possession of a great number of secrets, called the mason's word, which have been religiously kept from age to age, being never divulged.