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