[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/master/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [M](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/m/) / master # master noun (a master, masters); verb (master, masters, mastered, mastering); adjective (master) «master» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. A man who has control over people, animals or a place: «the dog obeyed its master». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m1) 2. A person who is very skilled at something: «a chess master», «a master chef». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m2) 3. (verb) To learn something until you can do it very well: «master your times tables». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m3) 4. (verb) To control a feeling: «master your fear». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m4) 5. (UK, old-fashioned) A male teacher in a school: «the maths master». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m5) 6. (adjective) Main or most important: «the master bedroom», «the master copy». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m6) 7. A university degree after the first one: «a master's degree». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m7) 8. (history) A person who owned enslaved people or employed servants. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m8) 9. (old, polite) A title for a boy: «Master Tom Smith». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m9) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x1) - The dog sat at its master's feet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x2) - It took me weeks to master the seven times table. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x3) - Our new teacher is a chess master. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x4) - The caretaker has a master key that opens every room. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x5) - She tried to master her fear of heights. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x6) - The villain had a master plan to steal the crown. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x7) - The letter was addressed to «Master James Brown». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x8) - In old schools the boys called their teachers «sir» or «master». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x9) - The museum has paintings by the old masters. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x10) - "Master, I obey," said the genie. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x11) ### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/master/#x1) - And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home. (Torah GEN.39.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/master/#x2) - Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a bondman that is escaped from his master unto thee; (Torah DEU.23.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/master/#x3) - But he went in, and stood before his master. (Prophets 2KI.5.25, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/master/#x4) - And his servant said unto him: 'Alas, my master! how shall we do?' (Prophets 2KI.6.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/master/#x5) - As for My people, a babe is their master, and women rule over them. (Prophets ISA.3.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/master/#x6) ### 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. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «master» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«master» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/master.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «master» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/master/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«master» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/master.html) on Mova free.