master
part of speech
noun (a master, masters); verb (master, masters, mastered, mastering); adjective (master)
meaning for a pupil
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 →
sense 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 the corpora
- LEGO Masters is a real TV show where adult teams compete at building, and some adults design sets as their job.
- In Egypt Joseph refused to do wrong with his master Potiphar's wife; she falsely accused him and he was put in prison.
- The servant who buried his talent said he was afraid of his master.
- And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
- And I said unto my master: Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «master» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.