Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *meh₂-der.?
Proto-Italic *magisteros
Latin magister, magistrum
Old French maistrebor.
▲
Latin magisterder.
Old English mǣġester
Middle English maister
English master
From Middle English maister, mayster, meister (noun) and maistren (verb), from Old English mǣster, mæġster, mæġester, mæġister, magister (“master”), from Latin magister (“chief, teacher, leader”), from Old Latin magester, from Proto-Indo-European *méǵh₂s (as in magnus (“great”), also cognate of English much and mickle) + -ester/-ister (compare minister (“servant”)). Reinforced by Old French maistre, mestre (noun) and maistriier, maister (verb) from the same Latin source. Compare also Saterland Frisian Mäster (“master”), West Frisian master (“master”), Dutch meester (“master”), German Meister (“master”). Doublet of maestro, magister, and meister.
Meanings
(not-comparable) Masterful.
a master performance
(not-comparable) Main, principal or predominant.
(not-comparable) Highly skilled.
In another minute she lay peaceful and motionless under the anæsthetic — a statue, immobile, yet expressionful, as though carved by some master hand. 1895, Marshall Mather, Lancashire Idylls, page 39:
no hoved- (main, principal or predominant) · hi असल (original) · hi माहिर (highly skilled) · no mester- (highly skilled) · ky чебер (highly skilled) · el κεντρικός (main, principal or predominant) · mk мајсторски (highly skilled) · fa ماهر (highly skilled) · th ชั้นครู (highly skilled) · bg главен (main, principal or predominant) · it mastro (original) · tg устод (highly skilled) · fi alkuperäinen (original) · sh мајсторски (highly skilled) · bg оригинален (original) · fa استاد (highly skilled) · fa اصل (original) · mk господарски (main, principal or predominant) · it maestro (main, principal or predominant) · no original- (original) · el κύριος (main, principal or predominant) · hi उस्ताद (highly skilled) · sh majstorski (highly skilled) · fi -mestari (highly skilled) · el αυθεντικός (original) · bg майсторски (highly skilled) · ky уста (highly skilled) · fi -taituri (highly skilled) · hi अस्ल (original) · fi pää- (main, principal or predominant)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *meh₂-der.?
Proto-Italic *magisteros
Latin magister, magistrum
Old French maistrebor.
▲
Latin magisterder.
Old English mǣġester
Middle English maister
English master
From Middle English maister, mayster, meister (noun) and maistren (verb), from Old English mǣster, mæġster, mæġester, mæġister, magister (“master”), from Latin magister (“chief, teacher, leader”), from Old Latin magester, from Proto-Indo-European *méǵh₂s (as in magnus (“great”), also cognate of English much and mickle) + -ester/-ister (compare minister (“servant”)). Reinforced by Old French maistre, mestre (noun) and maistriier, maister (verb) from the same Latin source. Compare also Saterland Frisian Mäster (“master”), West Frisian master (“master”), Dutch meester (“master”), German Meister (“master”). Doublet of maestro, magister, and meister.
Meanings
Someone who has control over something or someone.
Maſters commands come with a power reſiſtleſs / To ſuch as owe them abſolute ſubjection; / And for a life who will not change his purpoſe? / (So mutable are all the ways of men) / Yet this be ſure, in nothing to comply / Scandalous or forbidden in our Law. 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 83, lines 415–420:
When I have thus made myself master of a hundred thousand drachmas […]. 1712 November 23 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “WEDNESDAY, November 13, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 535; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume VI, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 97:
The Celebrity, by arts unknown, induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on a certain afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track.[…]Their example was followed by others at a time when the master of Mohair was superintending in person the docking of some two-year-olds, and equally invisible. 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, pages 58–59:
We are masters of the sea. 1881, Benjamin Jowett, Thucydides:
The owner of an animal or slave.
The captain of a merchant ship; a master mariner.
Master at two-and-twenty, and married at twenty-three— 1896, Rudyard Kipling, The Mary Gloster:
(dated) A male head of household.
Someone who employs others.
No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait. 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 46:
An expert at something.
Darth Vader: I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you I was but the learner; now I am the master.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Only a master of evil, Darth. 1977, George Lucas, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope:
But that which chiefly distinguishes Addison from Swift, from Voltaire, from almost all the other great masters of ridicule, is the grace, the nobleness, the moral purity, which we find even in his merriment. 1843 July, [Thomas Babington Macaulay], “Art. VII—The Life of Joseph Addison. By Lucy Aikin.”, in The Edinburgh Review, number CLVII, page 231:
A turning point came earlier this year. In January 2000, the local Qigong master who treated me asked me to find Falun Gong material on the Internet for him. 2001, “People with Cancer”, in Falun Gong Stories: A Journey to Ultimate Health, Golden Lotus Press, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 62:
Mark Twain was a master of fiction.
No care is taken to improve young men in their own language, that they may thoroughly understand and be masters of it. 1693, [John Locke], “§189”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], →OCLC:
A tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices.
(dated) A male schoolteacher.
A skilled artist.
(dated) A man or a boy; mister. See Master.
Where there are little Maſters and Miſſes in a Houſe, they are uſually great Impediments to the Diverſions of the Servants; 1731 (date written; published 1745), [Jonathan] Swift, Directions to Servants […], London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], and M. Cooper, […], →OCLC:
A master's degree; a type of postgraduate degree, usually undertaken after a bachelor degree.
She has a master in psychology.
A person holding such a degree.
He is a master of marine biology.
The original of a document or of a recording.
The band couldn't find the master, so they re-recorded their tracks.
(broadly) The copyright in a sound recording.
Many modern recording artists value owning their masters.
The primary wide shot of a scene, into which the closeups will be edited later.
A parajudicial officer (such as a referee, an auditor, an examiner, or an assessor) specially appointed to help a court with its proceedings.
The case was tried by a master, who concluded that the plaintiffs were the equitable owners of the property.[…]
A device that is controlling other devices or is an authoritative source.
a master database
a master wheel
A person holding an office of authority, especially the presiding officer.
(broadly) A person holding a similar office in other civic societies.
(abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis) Ellipsis of master key.
The use of masters and submasters will enable suites of rooms to be controlled by one key. 2020, Jane M. Wiggins, Facilities Manager's Desk Reference, page 517:
lo ບໍດີ (someone who has control over something or someone) · ar سَيِّد (someone who has control over something or someone) · ky уста (expert at something) · be гаспада́р (someone who has control over something or someone) · sq i zoti (expert at something) · kn ಎರೆ (someone who has control over something or someone) · fa کارْشِناسِ اَرْشَد (person holding a master's degree) · hi आक़ा (courtesy title of a man) · bg ма́йстор (expert at something) · ka ოსტატი (expert at something) · tr üstad (expert at something) · kk магистр (person holding a master's degree) · mi iho pūmanawa (expert at something) · hi पंडित (expert at something) · ko 주인 (someone who has control over something or someone) · cmn 師傅 /师傅 (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · ky чебер (expert at something) · bg ма́йстор (skilled artist) · prs آقَا (courtesy title of a man) · uk воло́дар (someone who has control over something or someone) · izh meisteri (expert at something) · mn магистр (person holding a master's degree) · tl guro (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · sv magister (person holding a master's degree) · fi mestari (skilled artist) · km មេ (someone who has control over something or someone) · pt mestre (master's degree) · es patrón (someone who employs others) · fa-ira مالِک (someone who has control over something or someone) · tr usta (someone who employs others) · ka მბრძანებელი (someone who has control over something or someone) · ja 飼い主 (owner of an animal or slave) · cy prif gopi (original of a document or of a recording) · ja 雇用主 (someone who employs others) · scn signuri (courtesy title of a man) · hi सरवर (someone who has control over something or someone) · uk госпо́дар (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi मास्टर (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · fa-ira آقا (courtesy title of a man) · ko 달인 (expert at something) · sv huvudman (someone who has control over something or someone) · he אָמָּן (expert at something) · ru работода́тель (someone who employs others) · pl pan (owner of an animal or slave) · la dominus (captain of a merchant ship) · id magister (person holding a master's degree) · ka ბატონი (someone who has control over something or someone) · it principale (person holding a similar office in other civic societies) · ur مِہْتَر (owner of an animal or slave) · fi mestari (freemasonry: person holding an office of authority) · es troesma (expert at something) · scn za (courtesy title of a man) · sv mästare (expert at something) · ro patron (someone who has control over something or someone) · bg господа́р (someone who has control over something or someone) · niv ыс (someone who has control over something or someone) · tk ussa (someone who employs others) · lo ສວາມີ (owner of an animal or slave) · bg со́бственик (owner of an animal or slave) · es amo (owner of an animal or slave) · pt mestre (expert at something) · sv förlaga (original of a document or of a recording) · sh госпо̀да̄р (owner of an animal or slave) · it originale (original of a document or of a recording) · yi מײַסטער (expert at something) · mk господар (owner of an animal or slave) · cmn 聆案官 (legal: parajudicial officer) · nb mester (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · ru барчу́к (courtesy title for a boy) · pt senhorzinho (courtesy title for a boy) · grc ἄναξ (owner of an animal or slave) · pt mestre (person holding a master's degree) · be пан (courtesy title of a man) · cmn 宗師 /宗师 (skilled artist) · ro maestru (courtesy title of a man) · hu mester (expert at something) · grc δεσπότης (someone who employs others) · eo reganto (someone who has control over something or someone) · it proprietario (owner of an animal or slave) · sh ма̑јстор (expert at something) · tl pantas (person holding a master's degree) · de Meister (someone who has control over something or someone) · pt máster (original of a document or of a recording) · pt patrão (someone who employs others) · et isand (someone who has control over something or someone) · la dominulus (courtesy title for a boy) · fa-ira سَرْوَر (someone who has control over something or someone) · ro stăpân (owner of an animal or slave) · bg ма́йсторка (expert at something) · fi kantakappale (original of a document or of a recording) · sh gazda (someone who employs others) · ro proprietar (someone who has control over something or someone) · ru повели́тель (owner of an animal or slave) · tl kapitan (captain of a merchant ship) · eo ĉefo (someone who employs others) · grc κύριος (owner of an animal or slave) · tk başlyk (courtesy title of a man) · fur mestri (expert at something) · hi आगा (courtesy title of a man) · scn zìa (courtesy title of a man) · el καπετάνιος (captain of a merchant ship) · be валада́р (someone who has control over something or someone) · cs pán (owner of an animal or slave) · scn mastru (skilled artist) · el αριστοτέχνης (expert at something) · it maestro (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · bg хазя́ин (owner of an animal or slave) · ru ба́рич (courtesy title for a boy) · fi kapteeni (captain of a merchant ship) · scn prupitaru (owner of an animal or slave) · ja 主人 (someone who has control over something or someone) · fi herra (someone who has control over something or someone) · sv husbonde (owner of an animal or slave) · sh госпо̀да̄р (someone who has control over something or someone) · cmn 小爺 /小爷 (courtesy title for a boy) · tk eýe (someone who has control over something or someone) · pt mestre (someone who has control over something or someone) · it padrone (someone who has control over something or someone) · eu maisu (expert at something) · kk ие (owner of an animal or slave) · el κύριος (someone who has control over something or someone) · fur paron (someone who has control over something or someone) · sv mäster (courtesy title of a man) · de Junker (courtesy title for a boy) · fi kantakopio (original of a document or of a recording) · tl amo (someone who has control over something or someone) · pt senhor (courtesy title of a man) · scn don (courtesy title of a man) · ka მაგისტრატურა (master's degree) · de Herrchen (owner of an animal or slave) · wa mwaisse (someone who has control over something or someone) · sq zotni (someone who has control over something or someone) · sv mästare (skilled artist) · nb herre (someone who has control over something or someone) · frp maîtro (someone who has control over something or someone) · fa-ira ناخُدا (captain of a merchant ship) · nap masto (expert at something) · km សាមី (someone who has control over something or someone) · it master (original of a document or of a recording) · mk мајстор (expert at something) · fi herra (courtesy title of a man) · ru влады́ка (someone who has control over something or someone) · tk han ogul (courtesy title for a boy) · ru веду́щий (engineering: device that is controlling other devices or is an authoritative source) · ru оригина́л (original of a document or of a recording) · kk ие (someone who has control over something or someone) · fi isäntä (someone who employs others) · de Meister (courtesy title of a man) · fa-ira اُسْتاد (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · pt dono (owner of an animal or slave) · av устӏар (expert at something) · scn mastra (expert at something) · it mastro (courtesy title of a man) · el κύριος (courtesy title of a man) · ja マスター (engineering: device that is controlling other devices or is an authoritative source) · nrf maître (someone who has control over something or someone) · bg маги́стър (person holding a master's degree) · scn gna (courtesy title of a man) · ja 修士 (master's degree) · tr işveren (someone who employs others) · el πλοίαρχος (captain of a merchant ship) · pl pan (courtesy title of a man) · ja 修士号 (master's degree) · es amo (courtesy title of a man) · scn zu (courtesy title of a man) · sv magistersgrad (master's degree) · ja 主 (someone who employs others) · mn эзэн (someone who has control over something or someone) · cmn 主人 (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi मास्टर (courtesy title for a boy) · fi master-versio (original of a document or of a recording) · gl amo (someone who has control over something or someone) · eo magistreco (master's degree) · he בְּעָלִים (owner of an animal or slave) · mww tswv (owner of an animal or slave) · sh mȃjstor (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · es joven amo (courtesy title for a boy) · be работада́вец (someone who employs others) · scn patruna (someone who has control over something or someone) · ca mestre (someone who has control over something or someone) · fi mestari (expert at something) · bg капита́н (captain of a merchant ship) · tr bey (someone who has control over something or someone) · ru маги́стр (person holding a master's degree) · bg господа́р (owner of an animal or slave) · la magister (expert at something) · pt amo (someone who has control over something or someone) · fr maître (someone who has control over something or someone) · ja 修士学位 (master's degree) · ru ма́стер (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · hu kapitány (captain of a merchant ship) · km គម្ដែង (someone who has control over something or someone) · ltg saimineica (someone who has control over something or someone) · az usta (expert at something) · grc πρύτανις (someone who has control over something or someone) · tk eýe (owner of an animal or slave) · cmn 大師 /大师 (expert at something) · pl pani (owner of an animal or slave) · hi प्रभु (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · eo sinjoro (owner of an animal or slave) · ka მაგისტრი (person holding a master's degree) · sk majstryňa (expert at something) · tl amo (someone who employs others) · tr efendi (someone who has control over something or someone) · lv saimnieks (someone who has control over something or someone) · xal эзн (someone who has control over something or someone) · sl mojstrica (expert at something) · eo fraŭlo (courtesy title of a man) · mk стопан (someone who has control over something or someone) · el δάσκαλος (expert at something) · be улада́р (owner of an animal or slave) · da kandidat (person holding a master's degree) · tk ussat (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · de Meisterin (expert at something) · th มหาบัณฑิต (person holding a master's degree) · es maestro (original of a document or of a recording) · uk ма́йстер (skilled artist) · uk магі́стр (person holding a master's degree) · sa प्रभु (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · fi master-kopio (original of a document or of a recording) · hi मालिक (someone who has control over something or someone) · rup afendu (someone who has control over something or someone) · cmn 巨匠 (expert at something) · grc δεσπότης (someone who has control over something or someone) · ja 達人 (expert at something) · sl gospodár (someone who has control over something or someone) · hu gazda (owner of an animal or slave) · ru капита́н (captain of a merchant ship) · fa-ira اَرْباب (owner of an animal or slave) · km ទាសបតិ (owner of an animal or slave) · el μάστορας (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · it maestro (skilled artist) · sgs gaspaduorios (someone who has control over something or someone) · nb mester (expert at something) · eo majstro (expert at something) · tk ussat (expert at something) · ru молодо́й челове́к (courtesy title for a boy) · be ма́йстарка (expert at something) · tk ussa (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · lo ມະຫາບັນດິດ (person holding a master's degree) · ro maestru (expert at something) · ang hlāford (owner of an animal or slave) · el αφεντικό (someone who employs others) · mi mātanga (expert at something) · bg работода́тел (someone who employs others) · wa mwaisse (expert at something) · bua эжэн (someone who has control over something or someone) · sk pán (someone who has control over something or someone) · lij padrón (someone who has control over something or someone) · hu mester (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · es señorito (courtesy title for a boy) · fi maisteri (person holding a master's degree) · pl majster (expert at something) · es máster (expert at something) · be магі́стр (person holding a master's degree) · scn capurali (someone who employs others) · fi alkuperäiskappale (original of a document or of a recording) · tr efendi (owner of an animal or slave) · hi उस्ताद (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · be ма́йстар (expert at something) · cmn 技師 /技师 (expert at something) · eo sinjoro (courtesy title of a man) · scn mastru (expert at something) · sk majster (expert at something) · izh maasteri (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · hi अधिराज (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi अधिपति (someone who has control over something or someone) · cmn 巨匠 (skilled artist) · pl magister (person holding a master's degree) · es maestro (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · ar أُصُولِيَّة (expert at something) · kk ұста (expert at something) · nl master (someone who has control over something or someone) · it padrona (owner of an animal or slave) · nb original (original of a document or of a recording) · hi मास्टर (courtesy title of a man) · tt оста (expert at something) · eo mastro (owner of an animal or slave) · ar أُصُولِيّ (expert at something) · sv mästare (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · sq pronar (someone who has control over something or someone) · hu mester (skilled artist) · hi मास्टर (someone who has control over something or someone) · uk роботода́вець (someone who employs others) · ru мастери́ца (expert at something) · ro jupân (courtesy title for a boy) · sh gospòdār (someone who has control over something or someone) · tl capitan (captain of a merchant ship) · sh gospòdār (owner of an animal or slave) · el αφέντης (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi मास्टर (expert at something) · la dominus (original of a document or of a recording) · bg магистрату́ра (master's degree) · nl master (master's degree) · grc μεδέων (someone who has control over something or someone) · arz ماچستير (master's degree) · mk мајстор (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · la dominus (courtesy title of a man) · fa-ira مِهْتَر (owner of an animal or slave) · ko 명수 (expert at something) · bua эзэн (someone who has control over something or someone) · tg устод (expert at something) · uk воло́дар (owner of an animal or slave) · pl mistrz (expert at something) · hi साहिब (someone who has control over something or someone) · eo majstro (freemasonry: person holding an office of authority) · scn principali (someone who has control over something or someone) · scn capitanu (captain of a merchant ship) · la dominus (someone who has control over something or someone) · izh meisteri (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · tk ussat (skilled artist) · mk господар (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi प्रभु (someone who has control over something or someone) · gld пакси (expert at something) · et meister (expert at something) · sh ма̑јстор (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · scn patruni (owner of an animal or slave) · hi उस्ताद (expert at something) · sh mȃjstor (expert at something) · fa-ira آقَاپِسَر (courtesy title for a boy) · tl bossing (someone who employs others) · it comandante (captain of a merchant ship) · hi साहब (someone who has control over something or someone) · es amo (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi मास्टर (master's degree) · mww tswv (someone who has control over something or someone) · fa-ira کارْفَرْما (someone who employs others) · eo mastro (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi साहिब (courtesy title of a man) · it padrone (owner of an animal or slave) · fi nuoriherra (courtesy title for a boy) · grc δεσπότης (owner of an animal or slave) · fr maître (expert at something) · be хазя́ін (someone who has control over something or someone) · lv saimnieks (owner of an animal or slave) · lv saimniece (someone who has control over something or someone) · ru уме́лица (expert at something) · cmn 少爺 /少爷 (courtesy title for a boy) · fi maisterin tutkinto (master's degree) · be магі́стар (person holding a master's degree) · eo posedanto (owner of an animal or slave) · mk мајсторка (expert at something) · it padrone (expert at something) · hi आका (courtesy title of a man) · rup domnu (someone who has control over something or someone) · ru господи́н (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi सालार (someone who has control over something or someone) · cmn 主動 /主动 (engineering: device that is controlling other devices or is an authoritative source) · th ต้นฉบับ (original of a document or of a recording) · it boss (someone who employs others) · cs mistryně (expert at something) · cs mistr (expert at something) · tk aga (courtesy title for a boy) · bg маги́стър (master's degree) · scn zìu (courtesy title of a man) · pl mistrzyni (expert at something) · uk хазя́їн (owner of an animal or slave) · oc mèstre (someone who has control over something or someone) · sv husbonde (someone who employs others) · es maestro (expert at something) · izh maasteri (expert at something) · es maestro (teacher) · ru владе́лец (owner of an animal or slave) · tr kaptan (captain of a merchant ship) · id master (someone who has control over something or someone) · ja 坊っちゃん (courtesy title for a boy) · tl compatron (someone who employs others) · scn mastru (courtesy title of a man) · pl magister (master's degree) · sh kapetan (captain of a merchant ship) · pl władca (someone who has control over something or someone) · ru хозя́ин (someone who has control over something or someone) · cmn 泰斗 (skilled artist) · grc σοφιστής (expert at something) · scn patruna (owner of an animal or slave) · es capitán (captain of a merchant ship) · it maestro (expert at something) · fi mestari (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · hu mester (someone who has control over something or someone) · bg оригина́л (original of a document or of a recording) · ka სპეციალისტი (expert at something) · sl gospodar (owner of an animal or slave) · la nāviculārius (captain of a merchant ship) · dta ejin (someone who has control over something or someone) · sv herre (owner of an animal or slave) · vi chủ (someone who has control over something or someone) · es maestra (teacher) · fa-ira اُسْتاد (skilled artist) · yi בעל־הבית (someone who has control over something or someone) · ro proprietar (owner of an animal or slave) · ko 주인 (someone who employs others) · sh газда (someone who employs others) · la dominus (owner of an animal or slave) · grc κοίρανος (someone who has control over something or someone) · ltg saiminīks (someone who has control over something or someone) · eo majstro (skilled artist) · hi आग़ा (courtesy title of a man) · th นาย (someone who has control over something or someone) · uk ма́йстер (expert at something) · tk türgen (expert at something) · mi mataaro (expert at something) · grc ἄναξ (someone who employs others) · nl meester (expert at something) · scn patruni (someone who employs others) · hi मास्टर (person holding a master's degree) · th เจ้านาย (someone who has control over something or someone) · eo magistro (person holding a master's degree) · tr hoca (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · tl amo (owner of an animal or slave) · es señor (courtesy title of a man) · pl panicz (courtesy title for a boy) · ru уме́лец (expert at something) · hi स्वामी (owner of an animal or slave) · la magister (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · it capo (someone who employs others) · tl maestro (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · scn capurais (captain of a merchant ship) · el μάστορας (expert at something) · eu jabe (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi सलार (someone who has control over something or someone) · pt mestre (skilled artist) · ru ма́стер (skilled artist) · ruq stăpǫn (someone who has control over something or someone) · ro original (original of a document or of a recording) · cs pán (someone who has control over something or someone) · tr komodor (someone who has control over something or someone) · mk стопан (owner of an animal or slave) · el κύριος (owner of an animal or slave) · fi isäntä (someone who has control over something or someone) · grc ἄναξ (someone who has control over something or someone) · ky ээси (owner of an animal or slave) · it capitano (captain of a merchant ship) · sv master (master's degree) · lv saimniece (owner of an animal or slave) · ka მფლობელი (owner of an animal or slave) · bg ма́йстор (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · cmn 大師 /大师 (skilled artist) · nb mester (someone who has control over something or someone) · la dominus (someone who employs others) · ja 原本 (original of a document or of a recording) · uk хазя́їн (someone who has control over something or someone) · pt senhor (owner of an animal or slave) · hi स्वामी (someone who has control over something or someone) · hi साहब (courtesy title of a man) · el πρωτότυπο (original of a document or of a recording) · fa اصلی (original of a document or of a recording) · pt capitão (captain of a merchant ship) · pt mestre (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · tk ökde (expert at something) · fi alkuperäinen (original of a document or of a recording) · ja 達人 (skilled artist) · la nauarchus (captain of a merchant ship) · bg стопа́нин (owner of an animal or slave) · fi työnantaja (someone who employs others) · ja 主人 (someone who employs others) · ka მეპატრონე (owner of an animal or slave) · sl mojster (expert at something) · uk ма́йстер (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · ar سَيِّد (owner of an animal or slave) · gl mestre (expert at something) · tl pantas (expert at something) · nb masterkopi (original of a document or of a recording) · fur paron (owner of an animal or slave) · ja ぼっちゃま (courtesy title for a boy) · be гаспада́р (owner of an animal or slave) · cmn 大家 (skilled artist) · mn ᠡᠵᠡᠨ (someone who has control over something or someone) · cs mistr (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · scn mastru (someone who employs others) · tr usta (expert at something) · hi असली (original of a document or of a recording) · ca mestre (expert at something) · ru ма́стер (expert at something) · scn mastru (someone who has control over something or someone) · es maese (courtesy title of a man) · ru веду́щее устро́йство (engineering: device that is controlling other devices or is an authoritative source) · vi thạc sĩ (master's degree) · hi उस्ताद (skilled artist) · fi puheenjohtaja (person holding a similar office in other civic societies) · ja 修士 (person holding a master's degree) · scn mastru (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · sgs gaspaduorė (someone who has control over something or someone) · mk газда (someone who employs others) · grc κύριος (someone who has control over something or someone) · ckb وەستا (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · ur اُسْتاد (tradesman who is qualified to teach apprentices) · scn capuraìs (captain of a merchant ship) · tk çeper (skilled artist) · fa-ira سالار (someone who has control over something or someone) · ja 船長 (captain of a merchant ship) · de Meister (expert at something) · id magister (master's degree) · ja 匠 (expert at something) · ki mwathani (someone who has control over something or someone) · pl kapitan (someone who employs others) · kk шебер (expert at something) · scn donna (courtesy title of a man) · ur اُسْتاد (skilled artist) · id master (original of a document or of a recording) · sa प्रभु (someone who has control over something or someone)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *meh₂-der.?
Proto-Italic *magisteros
Latin magister, magistrum
Old French maistrebor.
▲
Latin magisterder.
Old English mǣġester
Middle English maister
English master
From Middle English maister, mayster, meister (noun) and maistren (verb), from Old English mǣster, mæġster, mæġester, mæġister, magister (“master”), from Latin magister (“chief, teacher, leader”), from Old Latin magester, from Proto-Indo-European *méǵh₂s (as in magnus (“great”), also cognate of English much and mickle) + -ester/-ister (compare minister (“servant”)). Reinforced by Old French maistre, mestre (noun) and maistriier, maister (verb) from the same Latin source. Compare also Saterland Frisian Mäster (“master”), West Frisian master (“master”), Dutch meester (“master”), German Meister (“master”). Doublet of maestro, magister, and meister.
Meanings
(intransitive) To be a master.
(transitive) To become the master of; to subject to one's will, control, or authority; to conquer; to overpower; to subdue.
Then Elzevir cried out angrily, 'Silence. Are you mad, or has the liquor mastered you? Are you Revenue-men that you dare shout and roister? or contrabandiers with the lugger in the offing, and your life in your hand. You make noise enough to wake folk in Moonfleet from their beds.' [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC:
Obstinacy and willful neglects must be mastered, even though it cost blows. 1693, [John Locke], “(please specify the section number)”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], →OCLC:
(transitive) To learn to a high degree of proficiency.
It took her years to master the art of needlecraft.
(obsolete, transitive) To own; to possess.
[…]the wealth / That the world maſters. c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 183, column 2:
(especially, of a musical performance, transitive) To make a master copy of.
(intransitive, usually, with in) To earn a Master's degree.
He mastered in English at the state college.
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
mastuh
alternative
lexicographic
Massa
alternative
lexicographic
massy
alternative
lexicographic
maister
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
massa
alternative
lexicographic
Master
alternative
lexicographic
mastre
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
mas'r
alternative
lexicographic
massah
alternative
lexicographic
mastr
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
mastering
Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
mastered
Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
mastered
Tense=Past
lexicographic
Mastr
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
Mastah
alternative
lexicographic
maistre
alternative, archaic
lexicographic
Marse
Caribbean, US, alternative, dialectal, obsolete
lexicographic
marse
Caribbean, US, alternative, dialectal, obsolete
lexicographic
mester
alternative, dialectal
lexicographic
masters
Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres
lexicographic
mayster
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
mister
alternative, dialectal
lexicographic
masta
alternative
lexicographic
measter
UK, alternative, obsolete, pronunciation-spelling
lexicographic
mastah
alternative
lexicographic
Deriveds
remaster (Terms derived from the verb master) · overmaster (Terms derived from the verb master) · overmasteringly (Terms derived from the verb master) · masterable (Terms derived from the verb master) · bemaster (Terms derived from the verb master)
Translations (70)
bg овладея (to learn to a high degree) · uk опанува́ти (to learn to a high degree) · de meistern (to learn to a high degree) · no beherske (to learn to a high degree) · eo ellerni (to learn to a high degree) · cy meistroli (to control) · izh maasteroittaa (to learn to a high degree) · ca masteritzar (to make a master copy of) · el κατέχω (to learn to a high degree) · pt masterizar (to make a master copy of) · kk меңгеру (to learn to a high degree) · ro stăpâni (to be a master) · de mastern (to make a master copy of) · bg овладявам (to learn to a high degree) · ro conduce (to control) · no styre (to control) · ja マスターする (to learn to a high degree) · ro stăpâni (to control) · fi hallita (to be a master) · sh gospodariti (to be a master) · uk опано́вувати (to learn to a high degree) · mk владее (to control) · uk засво́їти (to learn to a high degree) · fi hallita (to own; to possess) · bg владея (to control) · mk управува (to control) · cy meistroli (to make a master copy of) · fi suorittaa maisterin tutkinto (to earn a Master's degree) · no mestre (to learn to a high degree) · fi alistaa (to control) · fi valmistua maisteriksi (to earn a Master's degree) · es dominar (to learn to a high degree) · ro controla (to control) · bg господарствам (to be a master) · uk осво́їти (to learn to a high degree) · el κυριαρχώ (to be a master) · uk осво́ювати (to learn to a high degree) · sv bemästra (to learn to a high degree) · no lede (to be a master) · nl beheersen (to learn to a high degree) · fr maîtriser (to learn to a high degree) · nl controleren (to control) · es maestrear (to be a master) · el κυβερνώ (to control) · mk раководи (to control) · bg господствам (to be a master) · fi olla mestari (jossakin) (to be a master) · uk оволодіва́ти (to learn to a high degree) · cy gwastrodi (to control) · grc κρατέω (to learn to a high degree) · fi hallita (to learn to a high degree) · uk оволоді́ти (to learn to a high degree) · ja 熟達する (to learn to a high degree) · ro excela (to learn to a high degree) · mk господари (to be a master) · bg управлявам (to control) · sh господарити (to be a master) · de beherrschen (to learn to a high degree) · uk засво́ювати (to learn to a high degree) · ar أتقن (to learn to a high degree) · ar أحسن (to learn to a high degree) · pt dominar (to learn to a high degree) · es masterizar (to make a master copy of) · mk владее (to learn to a high degree) · hu elsajátít (to learn to a high degree) · ro stăpâni (to learn to a high degree) · fi masteroida (to make a master copy of) · fi hallita (to control) · it padroneggiare (to control) · gd ceannsaich (to control)
Etymology tree
English mast
Proto-Indo-European *-yósder.
Proto-Italic *-āzios
Latin -āriusnom.
Latin -āriusbor.
Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz
Proto-West Germanic *-ārī
Old English -ere
Middle English -ere
English -er
English master
From mast + -er.
Meanings
(in-compounds) A vessel having a specified number of masts.
bg -мачтов (vessel having specified number of masts) · fi -mastoinen (vessel having specified number of masts) · pl -masztowiec (vessel having specified number of masts)