mas·ter¹ / ˈmastər/ • n. 1. chiefly hist. a man who has people working for him, esp. servants or slaves: he acceded to his master's wishes. ∎  a person who has dominance or control of something: he was master of the situation. ∎  a machine or device directly controlling another: [as adj.] a master cylinder. Compare with slave. ∎ dated a male head of a household: the master of the house. ∎  the owner of a dog, horse, or other domesticated animal.2. a skilled practitioner of a particular art or activity: I'm a master of disguise. ∎  a great artist, esp. one belonging to the accepted canon: the work of the great masters is spread around the art galleries of the world. ∎  a very strong chess or bridge player, esp. one who has qualified for the title at international tournaments: a chess master. See also grand master. ∎  (Masters) [treated as sing.] (in some sports) a class for competitors over the usual age for the highest level of competition.3. a person who holds a second or further degree from a university or other academic institution (only in titles and set expressions): a master's degree a Master of Arts.4. a man in charge of an organization or group, in particular: ∎ chiefly Brit. a male schoolteacher, esp. at a public or prep school. ∎  the head of a college or school. ∎  the captain of a merchant ship.5. used as a title prefixed to the name of a boy not old enough to be called “Mr.”: Master James Williams. ∎ archaic a title for a man of high rank or learning. ∎  the title of the heir apparent of a Scottish viscount or baron.6. an original movie, recording, or document from which copies can be made: [as adj.] the master tape. • adj. 1. having or showing very great skill or proficiency: a master painter. ∎  denoting a person skilled in a particular trade and able to teach others: a master bricklayer.2. main; principal: the master bedroom.• v. [tr.] 1. acquire complete knowledge or skill in (an accomplishment, technique, or art): I never mastered Latin.2. gain control of; overcome: I managed to master my fears.3. make a master copy of (a movie or record).DERIVATIVES: mas·ter·dom / -dəm/ n.mas·ter·hood / -ˌhoŏd/ n.mas·ter·less adj.mas·ter·ship / -ˌship/ n.mas·ter² • n. [in comb.] a ship or boat with a specified number of masts: a three-master.

master like master, like man proverbial saying, mid 16th century (man here means ‘servant’). The same idea is found in the Satyricon of the Roman satyrist Petronius Arbiter (d. ad 65), ‘as is the master, so is the servant,’ and in early 14th-century French, ‘it is said, for such a lord such a manservant.’

See also the eye of a master does more work, fire is a good servant but a bad master, Jack is as good as his master, Jack of all trades and master of none, masters, old master.

master.
A. man having control or authority;

B. teacher OE. (one who has received an academic degree orig. conveying authority to teach XIV);

C. title of rank or compliment XIII; title of presiding officer, etc. XIV. OE. mæġister, maġister (corr. to OS. mēster, (O)HG. meister, ON. meistari), a Gmc. adoption from L.; reinforced by OF. maistre (mod. maître) — L. magistrum, nom. magister, usu. referred to magis adv. more. cf. MISTER1.
Hence masterful XIV. masterpiece XVII; after Du. meesterstuk or G. meisterstück piece of work qualifying a craftsman. mastery XIII. ME. meistrie — OF. maistrie.

MASTER

An individual who hires employees or servants to perform services and who directs the manner in which such services are performed.

A court officer appointed by a judge to perform such jobs as examining witnesses, taking testimony, computing damages, or taking oaths, affidavits, or acknowledgments of deeds.

A master makes a report of his or her findings to the judge so a decree can be formulated. A master in chancery was an officer in Chancery Court in England. In the U. S. these duties may be rendered by a court clerk, commissioner, auditor, or referee.

master See master-slave system, bus arbitration.