Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Master?

\Mast"er\, n. (Naut.) A vessel having (so many) masts; -- used only in compounds; as, a two-master.
\Mas"ter\, n. [OE. maistre, maister, OF. maistre, mestre, F. ma[^i]tre, fr. L. magister, orig. a double comparative from the root of magnus great, akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Maestro}, {Magister}, {Magistrate}, {Magnitude}, {Major}, {Mister}, {Mistress}, {Mickle}.] 1. A male person having another living being so far subject to his will, that he can, in the main, control his or its actions; -- formerly used with much more extensive application than now. (a) The employer of a servant. (b) The owner of a slave. (c) The person to whom an apprentice is articled. (d) A sovereign, prince, or feudal noble; a chief, or one exercising similar authority. (e) The head of a household. (f) The male head of a school or college. (g) A male teacher. (h) The director of a number of persons performing a ceremony or sharing a feast. (i) The owner of a docile brute, -- especially a dog or horse. (j) The controller of a familiar spirit or other supernatural being. 2. One who uses, or controls at will, anything inanimate; as, to be master of one's time. --Shak. Master of a hundred thousand drachms. --Addison. We are masters of the sea. --Jowett (Thucyd. ). 3. One who has attained great skill in the use or application of anything; as, a master of oratorical art. Great masters of ridicule. --Maccaulay. No care is taken to improve young men in their own language, that they may thoroughly understand and be masters of it. --Locke. 4. A title given by courtesy, now commonly pronounced m[i^]ster, except when given to boys; -- sometimes written {Mister}, but usually abbreviated to Mr. 5. A young gentleman; a lad, or small boy. Where there are little masters and misses in a house, they are impediments to the diversions of the servants. --Swift. 6. (Naut.) The commander of a merchant vessel; -- usually called captain. Also, a commissioned officer in the navy ranking next above ensign and below lieutenant; formerly, an officer on a man-of-war who had immediate charge, under the commander, of sailing the vessel. 7. A person holding an office of authority among the Freemasons, esp. the presiding officer; also, a person holding a similar office in other civic societies. {Little masters}, certain German engravers of the 16th century, so called from the extreme smallness of their prints. {Master in chancery}, an officer of courts of equity, who acts as an assistant to the chancellor or judge, by inquiring into various matters referred to him, and reporting thereon to the court. {Master of arts}, one who takes the second degree at a university; also, the degree or title itself, indicated by the abbreviation M. A., or A. M. {Master of the horse}, the third great officer in the British court, having the management of the royal stables, etc. In ceremonial cavalcades he rides next to the sovereign. {Master of the rolls}, in England, an officer who has charge of the rolls and patents that pass the great seal, and of the records of the chancery, and acts as assistant judge of the court. --Bouvier. --Wharton. {Past master}, one who has held the office of master in a lodge of Freemasons or in a society similarly organized. {The old masters}, distinguished painters who preceded modern painters; especially, the celebrated painters of the 16th and 17th centuries. {To be master of one's self}, to have entire self-control; not to be governed by passion. {To be one's own master}, to be at liberty to act as one chooses without dictation from anybody. Note: Master, signifying chief, principal, masterly, superior, thoroughly skilled, etc., is often used adjiectively or in compounds; as, master builder or master-builder, master chord or master-chord, master mason or master-mason, master workman or master-workman, master mechanic, master mind, master spirit, master passion, etc. Throughout the city by the master gate. --Chaucer. {Master joint} (Geol.), a quarryman's term for the more prominent and extended joints traversing a rock mass. {Master key}, a key adapted to open several locks differing somewhat from each other; figuratively, a rule or principle of general application in solving difficulties. {Master lode} (Mining), the principal vein of ore. {Master mariner}, an experienced and skilled seaman who is certified to be competent to command a merchant vessel. {Master sinew} (Far.), a large sinew that surrounds the hough of a horse, and divides it from the bone by a hollow place, where the windgalls are usually seated. {Master singer}. See {Mastersinger}. {Master stroke}, a capital performance; a masterly achievement; a consummate action; as, a master stroke of policy. {Master tap} (Mech.), a tap for forming the thread in a screw cutting die. {Master touch}. (a) The touch or skill of a master. --Pope. (b) Some part of a performance which exhibits very skillful work or treatment. ``Some master touches of this admirable piece.'' --Tatler. {Master work}, the most important work accomplished by a skilled person, as in architecture, literature, etc.; also, a work which shows the skill of a master; a masterpiece. {Master workman}, a man specially skilled in any art, handicraft, or trade, or who is an overseer, foreman, or employer.
\Mas"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mastered}; p. pr. vb. n. {Mastering}.] 1. To become the master of; to subject to one's will, control, or authority; to conquer; to overpower; to subdue. Obstinacy and willful neglects must be mastered, even though it cost blows. --Locke. 2. To gain the command of, so as to understand or apply; to become an adept in; as, to master a science. 3. To own; to posses. [Obs.] The wealth That the world masters. --Shak.
\Mas"ter\, v. i. To be skillful; to excel. [Obs.]