Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A state in New England, United States: One of the 50 states of the USA, located in the northeastern region known as New England. It was one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
   • A member of an Algonquian people: A person belonging to the Native American tribe historically living around Massachusetts Bay.
   • The Algonquian language: The historical language spoken by the Massachuset people.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun (State):
  • Boston is the capital of Massachusetts.
  • She moved to Massachusetts to attend Harvard University.
• Proper noun (Historical People):
  • The Massachusetts were among the first tribes to encounter English settlers.
• Proper noun (Language):
  • The Massachusetts language is part of the Algonquian family.

Advanced Usage

• "Commonwealth of Massachusetts": The official legal name of the state.
  • The case was heard in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Variants and Related Words

• Massachuset (noun): An alternate spelling for the Native American people or their language.
• Bay Stater (noun, informal): A nickname for a resident of the state of Massachusetts.
• Mass. (abbreviation): The standard postal abbreviation for the state.

Synonyms

• The Bay State (nickname): A common nickname for the state of Massachusetts.
• The Old Colony (historical nickname): Refers to the Plymouth Colony, an early English settlement in the area.

Related Phrases

• Massachusetts Bay: The body of water and the historical colonial entity (Massachusetts Bay Colony).
  • The Puritans settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1629.
• Massachusetts General Court: The state legislature's official name.
  • The law was passed by the Massachusetts General Court.

Noun

1. the Algonquian language of the Massachuset
2. one of the British colonies that formed the United States
3. a member of the Algonquian people who formerly lived around Massachusetts Bay
4. a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies