master

¹mas·ter

noun \ˈmas-tər\

Definition of MASTER

1

a (1) : a male teacher (2) : a person holding an academic degree higher than a bachelor's but lower than a doctor's b often capitalized : a revered religious leader c : a worker or artisan qualified to teach apprentices d (1) : an artist, performer, or player of consummate skill (2) : a great figure of the past (as in science or art) whose work serves as a model or ideal

2

a : one having authority over another : ruler, governor b : one that conquers or masters : victor, superior <in the new challenger the champion found his master> c : a person licensed to command a merchant ship d (1) : one having control (2) : an owner especially of a slave or animal e : the employer especially of a servant f (1) dialect : husband (2) : the male head of a household

3

a (1) archaic : mr. (2) : a youth or boy too young to be called mister —used as a title b : the eldest son of a Scottish viscount or baron

4

a : a presiding officer in an institution or society (as a college) b : any of several officers of court appointed to assist (as by hearing and reporting) a judge

5

a : a master mechanism or device b : an original from which copies can be made; especially : a master recording (as a magnetic tape)

— mas·ter·ship \-ˌship\ noun

Examples of MASTER

1. As a slave he was required to do his master's bidding without question.
2. The dog was always obedient to its master.
3. the master and mistress of the house
4. She is a master of her craft.

Origin of MASTER

Middle English, from Old English magister & Anglo-French meistre, both from Latin magister; akin to Latin magnus large — more at much

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to MASTER

Synonyms: ace, adept, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, crackerjack (also crackajack), dab [chiefly British], dab hand [chiefly British], fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, expert, maven (also mavin), meister, past master, proficient, scholar, shark, sharp, virtuoso, whiz, wizard

Antonyms: amateur, inexpert, nonexpert

Related Words: pro, professional; consultant, hired gun, specialist; addict, aficionado (also afficionado), buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan; craftsman, journeyman; all-rounder [British], jack-of-all-trades, Renaissance man; mistress

Near Antonyms: apprentice, beginner, neophyte, novice; dabbler, dilettante; layman, nonprofessional

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

Rhymes with MASTER

aster, blaster, caster, castor, Castor, gaster, pastor, plaster, raster