master-buildˈer noun

1. A chief builder
2. A person who directs or employs others

MasˈterCard® noun

A credit card issued by a group of banks, replacing the former Access card

masˈter-card noun

The card that commands a suit or is the highest of all those remaining to be played

masˈter-class noun

1. The dominant class in a society
2. A lesson, esp in music, given to talented students by a renowned expert
3. Any performance displaying consummate skill

masˈter-clock noun

One that regulates other clocks electrically

masˈter-hand noun

1. The hand of a master
2. A person highly skilled

masˈter-joint noun (geology)

A joint of the most marked system of those by which a rock is intersected

masˈter-key noun

1. A key that opens many (different) locks, esp all the locks in a certain building
2. A clue able to guide one out of many difficulties (figurative)

masterly inactivity noun

The position or part of a neutral or a Fabian combatant, carried out with diplomatic skill, so as to preserve a predominant influence without risking anything

master-marˈiner noun

The captain of a merchant-vessel or fishing-vessel

master mason noun

A freemason who has attained the third degree

masˈtermind noun

1. A mind, or a person having a mind, of very great ability
2. The person conceiving or directing a project, esp a criminal enterprise

transitive verb

To originate, think out, and direct

master page noun

A word-processing template which automatically inserts repeated elements in each page of a document

master-passˈion noun

masˈterpiece, also masˈterwork noun

1. A piece of work worthy of a master
2. One's greatest achievement

master race noun

A group of people who believe themselves to be fitted and entitled by their superior qualities to rule the world

master sergeant noun

(in the US Army, Air Force and Marine Corps) a senior non-commissioned officer

masˈtersinger noun

A Meistersinger (qv)

masˈterstroke noun

1. A stroke or performance worthy of a master
2. Superior performance
3. An effective, well-timed act

masˈter-switch noun

A switch for controlling the effect of a number of other switches or contactors

masˈter-wheel noun

The wheel in a machine which imparts motion to other parts

masˈterwort noun

1. A plant (Peucedanum, or Imperatoria, ostruthium) related to the parsnip, once used as a pot-herb and in medicine
2. Applied also to Astrantia, etc

little masters

A 16c–17c group of followers of the German painter and engraver Albrecht Dürer, notable for fine work on wood and copper

master of ceremonies see under ceremony

master of the horse

1. The Roman Magister Equitum, an official appointed by the dictator to act next under himself
2. An equerry, esp a high official of the British royal court

Master of the King's or Queen's Musick

An honorary title conferred by the British sovereign usu on a distinguished British composer

Master of the Rolls

In England, the head of the civil division of the Court of Appeal, appointed by the Crown on the advice of the Prime Minister

Master of the Temple

The preacher of the Temple Church in London

master-slave manipulator

A manipulator, esp one used to handle, from behind a protective screen, radioactive material

masters of the schools

At Oxford University, the conductors of the first examination (Responsions) for the degree of BA

old masters

A term applied collectively to the great European painters, esp of the 16c and 17c

passed master

1. One who has passed as a master
2. A qualified or accomplished master, a thorough proficient (also past master)