master 
Kileiy 111:111 i his matter th:it ilurebi-ate him. mid eliery 
man diircs that kilnwi>K lilm. 
lip. KH fie. MicTu oofmograpnlo, A coward. 
Moult o' the people, 
We do request yuur kindest ears. 
Shot., Cor., II. 2. 55. 
He remains master of the Held. 
Bacon, Political fables, tx., Expl. 
They had reason to fear that, if he prospered In England, 
he would become absolute matter of Holland. 
Macnulaii, Hist. Eng., ix. 
Specifically - (a) A mule teacher or instructor In a school, 
nimv especially the sole or head teacher; a schoolmaster. 
There, In his noisy mansion skilled to rule, 
The village mailer taught his little school. 
Goldsmith, Dm. V1L, 1. 196. 
(ft) The navigator of a ship. In the merchant marine the 
master in the captain or commander. In men-of-war the 
navigator or sailing-master formerly had the specific title 
of master, and was a line-officer of the lowest rank. In 
the llritish navy his titl<- is now iiarinittiiiii-lieutenant or 
:,n,,ii,,ilfr. Ill the United States navy he is now 
ranked as lieutenant (junior grade), between ensign and 
lieutenant, ami is called the navigator. 
An vnhappie Matter he is that is made cunning by 
manle slilppe wrakes. Ancham, The Scholemaster, p. 01. 
2. ( )ne who has another or others under his im- 
mediate control ; a lord paramount or employer 
of slaves, vassals, domestic servants, workmen, 
or laborers, etc-. ; in laic, specifically, one who 
has in his own right and by virtue of contract 
a legal personal authority over the services 
of another, such other being called his ser- 
vant. The important distinction between the relation 
of master and servant and that of principal and agent lies 
in the fact that a master is liable to third persons for the 
errors of his servant to a greater degree than principals 
generally are for the errors of agents or employees over 
whom such authority does not exist, and In the fact that 
a servant has not always the same remedy against his 
master for injuries suffered In the course of employment 
as one not a servant might have. 
No man euer throue by suing his Lord or Maister. 
Babeet Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 99. 
It fares not by fathers aa by master* It doeth fare, 
For a foolish father may get a wise sonne, 
But of a foolish mauler it haps very rare 
Is bread a wise seruant where euer he wonne. 
PuUtnham, Arte of Eng. Poesle, p. 208. 
Our matter and mistress seeks you. 
Shot., As you Like it, v. 1. 66. 
3. One charged with the care, direction, over- 
sight, or control of some office, business, under- 
taking, or department : as, Master of the Rolls ; 
a ship-, harbor-, or dock-master; master of the 
revels, ceremonies, etc. 4. One who has the 
power of controlling or using at pleasure ; an 
owner or proprietor; a disposer. 
Nor that I am more better 
Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell. 
Shot., Tempest, t. 2. 20. 
lie who is not master of himself and his own passions 
cannot be a proper master of another. 
Steele, Spectator, No. 137. 
5. A chief; a principal, head, or leader. 
Maiftur in rnageste, maker of AUe, 
Endles and on, euer to last ! 
Now, god, of thi grace graunt me thi helpe. 
Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. S.X 1. 1. 
Some food we had, and some fresh water, that 
A noble Neapolitan, Oonzalo, 
Out of his charity (who being then appointed 
Matter of this design) did give us. 
ShaJc., Tempest, 1. 2. 163. 
6. A man eminently or perfectly skilled in 
something, as an occupation, art, science, or 
pursuit ; one who has disposing or controlling 
power of any kind by virtue of natural or ac- 
quired ability; a proficient; an adept: as, a 
muster of language, or of the violin; a master 
in art. 
Few men make themselves Masters of the things they 
write or apeak. Selden, Table-Talk, p. 66. 
Heard Slg' Francisco on the harpsichord, esteem'd one 
cif the most excellent maMen in Europe on that instrument. 
Evelyn, Diary, Deo. 2, 1674. 
I listened with delight 
To pastoral melody or warlike air, 
Drawn from the chords of the ancient British harp 
By some accomplished master. 
Wordmeorth, Excursion, vli. 
7. A title of address, formerly in use, corre- 
sponding to magister (which see). Abbreviated 
M. Matter is now changed to mister in ordinary speech, 
anil used in its unchanged form only before the name of a 
boy, or by a servile dependent to a superior, or sometimes 
(especially in irony) by a superior to an inferior, as in the 
second quotation. See mittert. 
The Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see 
a sign from thee. Mat. xll. 88. 
Matter doctor, have yon brought those drugs? 
Xhak.. rynibcline, I. T. 4. 
In the city of Olocester HI. Bird of the chappell met 
with Tarltoii, who, joyfull to resreet other, went to visit 
his friends: amongst the rest, M. Bird, of the queenes 
chapped, visited M. Woodcock of the colledge. . . . 80 
Matter Woodcock like :i wcxxlcock bit his lip. 
Tarlton, Jests (1611). (HalliuvU.) 
8661 
8. A young gentleman; a boy of the better 
class. 
Where there are little matters and misses in a house, 
they arc Impedimenta to the diversions of the serranU. 
Sutft, Directions to Servants. 
9. A title of dignity or office, (o) A degree con- 
ferred by colleges and universities : as, master of art*. () 
[COB. ] In Scotland, the title of the eldest son of a viscount 
or baron : as, the Halter of Lovat (heir of Ix>rd or Baron 
Lovat). 
Master of Kavenswood, a title which he still retained, 
though forfeiture had attached to that of his father. 
Scott, Bride of Lammermoor, II. 
(c) The title of the head of some societies or corpora- 
tions: as, the grand matter of the Knight* of Malta; the 
master of Balllol College ; the master of a lodge of free- 
masons, (d) Kccles., a title applied to certain reslden- 
tlarles In a minster : as, master of the lady chapel, etc. 
10f. In the game of bowls, the jack. 
At bowles every one cranes to kisse the mauler. 
masterhood 
Master builder. CO A chief l.uiM.-t . a diireinrnf build- 
ing ; an architect. 
As a wise matterbuilder, I have laid the foundation. 
ICor. iii. I". 
(b) One who employs workmen In building. Master 
Chord, in mtinr, the chord of Hi, di.mlnanl.-- Master 
fugue, ill mutie, a fugue without episodes; one in which 
either subject or answer is continually heard, or one In 
which only the most difficult contrapuntal methods are 
used. Master mariner, mason, etc. See mariner, etc. 
Master mind, the chief mind; a predominant Intel 
lee.t ; a master spirit. Master note. Same as Uadinu 
note. See leading^. Master passion, a predominant 
passion: as, ambition was his matter passiini.-- Master 
spirit, a predominant mind ; a master mind. 
A good book is the precious life-blood of a master- tpitrit '. 
embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond 
life. Milton, Areopagitlca. 
Master workman, (o) A workman In charge, or one 
who is master of his craft. (b) [caps.] The chief execu- 
live officer of the Knights of Labor. [U. 8.) 
Gotten, Schoole of Abuse, p. 60. (Davies.) master 1 (mas'ter), v. [= 1). meesteren = MLG. 
11. A husband. [Low, Eng.] mexteren, meisteren = OHO. mcisteron, meistron, 
"I'm a watching for my matter." "Do you mean your MHO. G. meistern = Sw. miiftra = Dan. me"tre, 
husband?" said " Yes, miss, niynuwfer." master; from the noun. J I. tranx. 1. lo De- 
Dietttts, Bleak House, vilL O ome the master of; subject to one's will, con- 
Grand master, the title of the head of military orders trol, or authority; conquer; overpower; snb- 
of knighthood, as the Hospitalers, the Templars, and the * ' 
Teutonic Knights. The title is also given to the head of 
the fraternity of freemasons for the time being. 
Wottest thou that Lucas de Beaumanoir, the chief of 
their Order, and whom they (the Templars] term Grand 
Matter, is now himself at TemplestoweY 
Scott, Ivanhoe, xxxv. 
Great master!. Seej^reoe. Master attendant See 
attendant. Master in Chancery, in England, formerly, a 
judicial or quasi-judicial officer of the court of chancery. 
Master In lunacy. Heelunacy. Master of Arts, an 
academical degree granted by a college or other authorized 
body, on the successful completion of a certain course of 
study or in recognition of professional merit Commonly 
abbreviated to A. M. or M. X. Master of ceremonies. 
See ceremony. Master Of or In glomeryt. See glomery. 
Master of song. In England. In the sixteenth century, 
the title of the music-teacher to the Chapel Royal. Mas- 
ter Of the church, in Eng. eccles. hist., one of the body of 
learned clergy who aat as advisers of the bishops in synods. 
Master of the faculties, the principal officer of the 
Court of Faculties (which see, under/ociiffi/). Master of 
the horse, (o) (Latin magitter rquitum, commander of the 
cavalry.] In Ram. hist., an official appointed by the dic- 
tator to act as his chief subordinate. He discharged the 
duties of the dictator during the latter'* absence. (6) An 
equerry ; specifically, the third great officer In the British 
court. He has the management of all the royal stables and 
bred horses, with authority over all the equerries and 
pages, coachmen, footmen, grooms, etc. In state caval- 
cades he rides next to the sovereign. 
He Is In attendance ... on me, the noble Earl of Sus- 
Every one can matter a grief but he that has It. 
Shalt., Much Ado, 111. 2. 2*. 
Kings nor authority can master Fate. 
Fletcher (and another). Love's Cure, v. 3. 
2. To make one's self master of; overcome the 
difficulties of; learn so as to be able to apply 
or use : as, to master a science. 
That art of plain living, which moralists in all ages have 
prized so much, was mattered completely by Wordsworth. 
J. R. Seeley, Nat. Religion, p. 97. 
3. To control as master or owner; possess; 
have power over. 
So then he hath it Igold] when he cannot use it. 
And leaves it to be master'd by his young. 
Shot., Lucrece, L 868. 
The 1 1 n runs would follow our trail, and master our scalps 
before we had got a dozen miles. 
Cooper, Last of Mohicans, xxv. 
4f. To hold the position or relation of master 
to ; be a master to. 
Rather father thee than master thee. 
Shale., Cymhellne, iv. 2. 395. 
5. In a technical use, to season or age. 
A slight change In the quality of the sumac, something 
dlff crent In the "ageing" or mastering of the logwood, . . . 
put works almost to a stand-still. 
sex's master of hone. Scott, Kenilworth, xv and other causes, ... put works almost to a stand-still. 
Master Of the household, an officer employed under <*, Dyeing and Calico Printing, 86. 
II. iiHran.1. To be skilful; excel. [Rare.] 
the treasurer of the British royal household to survey ac 
counts. Master of the mint. See minW.- Master of 
the ordnance, a great officer who has the command of 
the ordnance and artillery of Great Britain. Master of 
the robes. See robe. Master of the Rolls, one of the 
judges of the chancery division of the High Court of Jus- 
tice in England, the keeper of the rolls of all patents and 
grants that pass the grei ' 
Court of Chancery. He i 
Justice of the Queen's Beiicu, uuu auuvo me i <>MI ju> > 
Justice of the Common Pleas.-Master of the Sen- position: as. a three-mast* <: 
tences (Mao-ister Sententiarvm). a title given to the eel- master-at-aiTOS (mas ter-at-armz ), . 
They talk of fencing, and the use of anus, 
The art of urging and avoiding harms, 
The noble science, and the mastering skill 
Of making just approaches how to kill. 
/;. Jinisiiii, 1'nderwoods. (Latham.) 
iat seal, and of all records of the master' 2 (mas'ter), H. [< mast! + -erl.~\ Aves- 
eS a'nTaCe 2S ra cHlef -el * ( ******* ' b f > ^ 
In n 
ebratcd Peter Lombard, Bishop of Paris in the twelfth cen- 
tury, from his great work "Sententiarum I.ibrt tjnatuor," 
or "The Four l!ook8ofSentences"(conimonly called "The 
Sentences"). Illustrative of doctrines of the churches in 
sentences or passages taken from the fathers. Master of 
the song*, an instructor of choristers; a choir-master. 
of the crown, without episcopal induction. Master's 
mate, formerly, In the I'nlted States navy, a junior offi- 
cer whose duty it was to assist the master. See mtitei. 
Masters Of the schools, In the University of Oxford, 
England, the conductors of the first examination ("re- 
sponsions") of the three that candidates for the degree of 
B. A. are required to pass. Passed master, one who 
has occupied the office or dignity of master, especially in 
such bodies or societies as the freemasons, etc. ; hence, 
figuratively, one who has ripe experience in his particular 
craft or business. Often written past-matter. The little 
masters, (o) Certain German engravers of the sixteenth 
century, so called from the smallness of their prints. (6) 
See the quotation. 
In this (the hatters'] trade prevailed, early In the eigh- 
teenth century, the system of carrying on industry by 
means of sub-contractors (alias sweaters), who were called 
Little Matters. English GtW(E. E. T. S.), Int., p. clxxvlii. 
The Master, a specific designation of Christ as head of 
the church and supreme guide of his followers. The old 
masters, a title given collectively to the eminent painters 
of the Renaissance and earlier, particularly to the Italian 
painters of this period. To be meat for one's master. 
See meat). 
II. a. Having or exercising mastery; direct- 
ing or controlling; chief; principal; leading: 
man-of-war, a petty officer of the first class; 
the chief police officer of the ship, whose duties 
are to take charge of all prisoners, and to keep 
order on the berth-deck. His assistants are 
called ship's corporals. 
floin (= OHG. meigtiirtuom, mei#t<traii<n, MHG. 
nieifitertuom, G. meixterthum); < master 1 + -<lom.] 
Power of control ; dominion ; mastery. 
Give solely sovereign sway and matterdom. 
.STio*-., Macbeth, i. 5.71. 
masterful (raas'ter-ful), . [< ME. maxterfull, 
maiKterful; < master! + -/W.J 1. Having the 
character or qualities of a master; capable 
of mastery ; controlling ; imperious ; domineer- 
ing. 
Shal noon bouselionde seyn to me " chek mat ! " 
For eyther they ben fill of jalousie, 
Or maysterful, or loven novelrye. 
Chatieer, Troilus. ii. 756. 
How maitter/ul lone Is in yonthe ! 
Oower, Conf. Amant.. ill. 
Such parents are invaluable boons to an ambitions, en- 
ergetic, and masterful child. The Centum, XXVIII. 126. 
2. Expressing or indicating mastery; exhibit- 
ing force or power: as, a masterful manner or 
command Masterful beggar, formerly, In Scott law, 
a beggar who took by force or by putting the household- 
ers in fear ; a sonier. 
.,, ... 
as, a master mechanic or manner; a jMUMr masterfully (mas'ter-ful-i). rfr. In a master- 
builder or printer; a master hand in trade. f u ] or imperious manner. 
The maister temple of al the tonne. masterfulness (iiii'is'tcr-ful-nes), H. The qual- 
Chaucer, Good Women, L 1016. jty o{ boinR masterful, imperious, or domineer- 
The choice and master spirits of this age. 
' masterhood fmas'ter-hud). . 
Tin* later version of a must sublime tragedy ... has " 
the fire and vigor of a master hand. 
ing. 
uasterhood (mas'ter-hud). H. [< matter! 
-/.</.] The state of being a master: a condi- 
1 II tllll*t'l 1IUKII. , , . 
... Victorian Poets, pp. l-21-i. tion of niastury : 111:1 -4ership. 
