master
Derived from Middle English, from Old French 'maistre', from Latin 'magister'.
A person who has achieved complete skill or command in a particular field, especially an art or craft. In a broader philosophical or artistic sense, "master" describes someone who has attained a profound understanding or supreme proficiency, which isn't always captured by simple translations like `experto` or `maestro` in Spanish, as these might not convey the depth of theoretical and practical command implied. It can also refer to a person who has control or authority over others or something, or a male teacher, especially in private schools, or the owner of a domestic animal.
| plural |
|---|
| masters |
- He became a master of negotiation. — He achieved high skill in negotiating.
- The master of the house greeted the guests. — The male head of the household welcomed the visitors.
- She is a master painter, renowned for her portraits. — She is an artist with exceptional skill in painting.
- The student diligently worked to please her master. — The student worked hard to satisfy her teacher or mentor.
To acquire complete knowledge or skill in an accomplishment, art, or science. To gain control or overcome something. In a therapeutic or psychological context, to master implies not just learning a skill but achieving full emotional and cognitive control over a challenging situation, emotion, or trauma, a nuance often difficult to convey with a single verb like `dominar` in Spanish.
| past | present_participle |
|---|---|
| mastered | mastering |
- It took him years to master the violin. — He spent years learning to play the violin perfectly.
- She finally managed to master her fear of heights. — She successfully overcame her phobia of elevated places.
- The athlete had to master new techniques to win. — The athlete needed to learn and perfect new methods to succeed.
Being in control; principal or main; having supreme authority or skill. When describing a 'master' person or relationship dynamically, it implies a primary, guiding, or definitive quality that influences or controls, going beyond merely 'dominant' (`dominante`) to suggest a foundational and authoritative role.
- This is the master copy of the document. — This is the original or primary version of the document.
- The architect designed the master bedroom with a view. — The architect designed the main bedroom with a scenic view.
- He has a master plan for the project. — He has a principal or overarching strategy for the project.