past mastern.
/ˌpɑːs(t) ˈmɑːstə/, /ˌpas(t) ˈmastə/, U.S. /ˈpæs(t) ˈmæstər/ 1. Usually with capital initial. A person who has previously filled the office of master in a Freemasons' lodge, civic guild, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > an association, society, or organization > [noun] > member > official
master1389
pass-master1762
past master1762
steward1831
1762 Jachin & Boaz (Jerusalem Lodge) 50 The past Master raises him up, and takes off the Jewel and Ribbon from his own Neck, and puts it on the new Master.
1786 Laws Soc. Royal Arch Masons 15 That the three Principals, and all Past-masters are stiled, most excellent.
c1826 W. Morgan Illustr. Masonry (?1851) 80 The second part of this work, which will comprise the following degrees, viz: Mark-Master, Present or Past-Master, Most Excellent Master, and the Royal Arch.
1874 Fraser's Mag. 245 Past-master of the Alpine Club.
1984 S. Knight Brotherhood iii. xv. 133 A Past Master of Eden Park Lodge..told me he had worked for many years as a consultant for Taylor Woodrow.
2002 Bristol Evening Post (Nexis) 30 Aug. A Circle compromises the past masters of all Masonic Lodges within the Province of Bristol in any calendar year.
2. A person who is especially adept or expert in a specified subject or activity. With in, of, at.This use may have arisen partly in allusion to the expertise which results from having passed through such an office as master of a Freemasons' lodge, etc. Sometimes it simply alludes to the expertise resulting from having passed the necessary training to qualify as ‘master’ in any art, science, or occupation. Cf. passed master n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skilful person > a master or mistress
masterc1430
mistressc1440
doctor1548
archemaster1570
graduate1582
pass-master1599
possessor1713
past master1840
past mistress1868
passed master1882
ustad1903
maestro1938
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > learned person, scholar > [noun] > expert, specialist, authority
masterc1225
historian?a1439
authentic1613
scientiate1647
supernaturalist1659
authority1665
connoisseur1732
pundit1816
expert1825
specialist1839
past master1840
sharp1840
professional1846
beggar1859
specializer1868
passed master1882
buff1903
man1921
sharpshooter1942
sharpie1949
watcher1966
meister1975
1840 Southern Literary Messenger 6 391/1 In our attentions, Mr. Editor, to the Past Masters in Poetry, we are apt to neglect the claims of the entered apprentices of the sublime order.
1872 M. E. Braddon Robert Ainsleigh xv The man was past-master of all dissimulative arts.
1890 Spectator 13 Sept. 334 A past-master of electioneering tactics.
1936 M. R. Anand Coolie iii. 164 Munoo had become a past master in the art of slipping by the irregular pedestrians of the city of Daulatpur.
1963 S. Bedford Favourite of Gods (1984) 55 Even the prince, himself past-master at leaving well alone, found himself outdone.
1992 Independent 10 Mar. 21/6 Harold Macmillan was a past master at the art of manipulating the economy to produce an election boom.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1762