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Edgar Lee, 1869–1950, U.S. poet and novelist.
William Howell, 1915–2001, U.S. physician: researcher on human sexual behavior (husband of Virginia E. Johnson).
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.
Chiefly British. 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.
the Master, Jesus Christ.
a person who has been awarded a master’s degree.
a boy or young man (used chiefly as a term of address).
Also called matrix. an original document, drawing, manuscript, etc., from which copies are made.
a device for controlling another device operating in a similar way.
Compare slave (def 5).
Recording.

matrix (def 13).
a tape or disk from which duplicates may be made.

Also called copy negative. Photography. a film, usually a negative, used primarily for making large quantities of prints.
master of foxhounds.
Archaic. a work of art produced by a master.
being master; exercising mastery; dominant.
chief or principal:
a master list.
directing or controlling:
a master switch.
of or relating to a master from which copies are made:
master film; master matrix; 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.
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.
Recording. to produce a master tape, disk, or record of:
The producer recorded, mixed, and mastered the new album.
a degree awarded by a graduate school or department, usually to a person who has completed at least one year of graduate study.
Contemporary Examples

The Godfather of Right-Wing Radio Caitlin Dickson November 22, 2014
The Israeli Anti-Attack-Iran Brigade Bruce Riedel November 6, 2011
Sony Pictures Classics’ Michael Barker and Tom Bernard on Woody Allen and the State of Indie Film Richard Porton May 21, 2014
Obama Realigns, the GOP Declines: The New Political Paradigm Robert Shrum January 31, 2013
Fresh Picks Eli Kirshtein February 22, 2010

Historical Examples

The Elements of Geology William Harmon Norton
Folkways William Graham Sumner
The Turkish Empire, its Growth and Decay Lord Eversley
The Birth of Yugoslavia, Volume 2 Henry Baerlein
The New Gulliver and Other Stories Barry Pain

noun
Edgar Lee. 1868–1950, US poet; best known for Spoon River Anthology (1915)
noun
the man in authority, such as the head of a household, the employer of servants, or the owner of slaves or animals related adjective magistral

a person with exceptional skill at a certain thing: a master of the violin
(as modifier): a master thief

(often capital) a great artist, esp an anonymous but influential artist

a person who has complete control of a situation
an abstract thing regarded as having power or influence: they regarded fate as the master of their lives

a workman or craftsman fully qualified to practise his trade and to train others in it
(as modifier): master carpenter

an original copy, stencil, tape, etc, from which duplicates are made
(as modifier): master copy

a player of a game, esp chess or bridge, who has won a specified number of tournament games
the principal of some colleges
a highly regarded teacher or leader whose religion or philosophy is accepted by followers
a graduate holding a master’s degree
the chief executive officer aboard a merchant ship
a person presiding over a function, organization, or institution
(mainly Brit) a male teacher
an officer of the Supreme Court of Judicature subordinate to a judge
the superior person or side in a contest
a machine or device that operates to control a similar one
(often capital) the heir apparent of a Scottish viscount or baron
(modifier) overall or controlling: master plan
(modifier) designating a device or mechanism that controls others: master switch
(modifier) main; principal: master bedroom
(South African, informal) the master, the man of the house
verb (transitive)
to become thoroughly proficient in: to master the art of driving
to overcome; defeat: to master your emotions
to rule or control as master
noun
a title of address placed before the first name or surname of a boy
a respectful term of address, esp as used by disciples when addressing or referring to a religious teacher
an archaic equivalent of Mr
n.
n.
v.
see: past master