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.
Master, signifying chief, principal, masterly, superior, thoroughly
skilled, etc., is often used adjectively 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.