master

Everyday

1. A man who has control over people, animals or a place: «the dog obeyed its master». tree →
2. A person who is very skilled at something: «a chess master», «a master chef». tree →
3. (verb) To learn something until you can do it very well: «master your times tables». tree →
4. (verb) To control a feeling: «master your fear». tree →
5. (UK, old-fashioned) A male teacher in a school: «the maths master». tree →
6. (adjective) Main or most important: «the master bedroom», «the master copy». tree →
7. A university degree after the first one: «a master's degree». tree →
8. (history) A person who owned enslaved people or employed servants. tree →
9. (old, polite) A title for a boy: «Master Tom Smith». tree →

In the lessons

In school, «master» as a verb is common: «master the skill», «master fractions». In history, «masters» and «servants», or slaveowners called masters, are part of lessons on the past. In stories, a dog's master, a sea captain called «the Master», and «Master» as a polite title for boys appear. «Master key» opens every lock; «master plan» is the main secret plan. Phrases: «master a skill», «Master's degree», «old masters» (great painters), «master and servant».

Examples

• Once you master riding a bike, you never forget. tree →
• The dog sat at its master's feet. tree →
• It took me weeks to master the seven times table. tree →
• Our new teacher is a chess master. tree →
• The caretaker has a master key that opens every room. tree →
• She tried to master her fear of heights. tree →
• The villain had a master plan to steal the crown. tree →
• The letter was addressed to «Master James Brown». tree →
• In old schools the boys called their teachers «sir» or «master». tree →
• The museum has paintings by the old masters. tree →
• "Master, I obey," said the genie. tree →

Note

Regular verb: mastered, mastering. Nouns: mastery, masterpiece. Female forms: «mistress» (old) – today «master» in skill senses is used for anyone, any gender («she's a master of disguise»). Some places now avoid «master» in computing (for example «main branch») because of its link to slavery. In maths, «master» a method means you can use it accurately every time.

In Jewish tradition

Abraham's servant calls Abraham "my master." It shows the relation of servant and owner. The law protects a runaway servant from being handed back.

Interpretation. The rabbis taught that a servant should be treated kindly and that a runaway should not be returned. They read this as a rule that protects the weak.

Examples

• And I said unto my master: Peradventure the woman will not follow me. (Torah GEN.24.39, JPS 1917) tree →
• And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home. (Torah GEN.39.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a bondman that is escaped from his master unto thee; (Torah DEU.23.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• But he went in, and stood before his master. (Prophets 2KI.5.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• And his servant said unto him: 'Alas, my master! how shall we do?' (Prophets 2KI.6.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• As for My people, a babe is their master, and women rule over them. (Prophets ISA.3.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: mastered, mastering. Nouns: mastery, masterpiece. Female forms: «mistress» (old) – today «master» in skill senses is used for anyone, any gender («she's a master of disguise»). Some places now avoid «master» in computing (for example «main branch») because of its link to slavery. In maths, «master» a method means you can use it accurately every time.