Master
/ˈmæstər/noun
A person with control or authority over others or a skilled practitioner in a particular field.
Did you know?In medieval times, 'master' was often associated with the control of magical knowledge, where only the initiated could claim mastery over spells and secrets.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*magh-
“to be able, to have power”
Old English
Old English
mæster
“one who has authority or control, especially in the context of trades or crafts”
Latin
Latin
magister
“a chief, leader, or teacher, often with connotations of mastery in knowledge”
Old French
Old French
maistre
“a title of respect for someone with authority or skill”
Middle English
Middle English
maister
“a title used for a person of authority, often in educational or vocational contexts”
Modern English
English
master
“a term for someone in charge or an expert in a particular field, retaining its authoritative connotations.”