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.
Master
(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. Master
(Mas"ter), v. i. To be skillful; to excel. [Obs.]
