a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something:a master of six languages; to be master of one's fate.
an owner of a slave, animal, etc.
an employer of workers or servants.
the male head of a household.
a person eminently skilled in something, as an occupation, art, or science:the great masters of the Impressionist period.
a person whose teachings others accept or follow:a Zen master.
British Terms[Chiefly Brit.]a male teacher or schoolmaster.
a worker qualified to teach apprentices and to carry on a trade independently.
a title given to a bridge or chess player who has won or placed in a certain number of officially recognized tournaments.
a person holding this title.
a person who commands a merchant ship; captain.
a victor or conqueror.
a presiding officer.
an officer of the court to whom some or all of the issues in a case may be referred for the purpose of taking testimony and making a report to the court.
Religionthe Master, Jesus Christ.
Educationa person who has been awarded a master's degree.
a boy or young man (used chiefly as a term of address).
PrintingAlso called matrix. an original document, drawing, manuscript, etc., from which copies are made.
Mechanical Engineeringa device for controlling another device operating in a similar way. Cf. slave (def. 5).
Recording.
Sound Reproductionmatrix (def. 13).
Sound Reproductiona tape or disk from which duplicates may be made.
PhotographyAlso called copy negative. a film, usually a negative, used primarily for making large quantities of prints.
See master of foxhounds.
[Archaic.]a work of art produced by a master.
adj.
being master; exercising mastery; dominant.
chief or principal:a master list.
directing or controlling:a master switch.
Radio and Television, Printingof or pertaining to a master from which copies are made:master film; master record;master tape.
dominating or predominant:a master play.
being a master of some occupation, art, etc.; eminently skilled:a master diplomat; a master pianist.
being a master carrying on one's trade independently, rather than a worker employed by another:a master plumber.
characteristic of a master; showing mastery.
v.t.
to make oneself master of; become an adept in:to master a language.
to conquer or overcome:to master one's pride.
to rule or direct as master:to master a crew.
Sound ReproductionRecording. to produce a master tape, disk, or record of:The producer recorded, mixed, and mastered the new album.
Latin; akin to magnus great
Middle English maistre, maister, Old English magister bef. 900
mas′ter•less, adj.
1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged adept, expert.
26.See corresponding entry in Unabridged main, leading, primary, prime, cardinal.
31.See corresponding entry in Unabridged adept, expert, skillful.
33.See corresponding entry in Unabridged subdue, control.
34.See corresponding entry in Unabridged govern, manage.