master

Master is a term with multiple meanings in English. It originates from the Latin magister through Old French maistre and has been used as a title, an honorific, a term for a skilled practitioner, and a designation for a primary version of something.

As a person, a master is someone with authority or control, such as a supervisor or owner, a skilled craftsman or tradesperson, or a teacher or mentor. The word can denote high skill and expertise in a craft or discipline, earned through experience and training.

Academic use of the term refers to a master's degree, a graduate-level credential earned after completing undergraduate study. Common examples include Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), and professional degrees such as Master of Business Administration (MBA). Programs typically involve coursework, exams, and often a research component, and they may vary in duration by field and country.

In titles and roles, the master may be the captain of a vessel in maritime contexts, or a senior practitioner who oversees training and quality in a workshop or factory. The term also appears in various professional titles and traditional hierarchies reflecting leadership or ownership.

In publishing and media, a master copy or master recording refers to the original source from which copies are produced or distributed, serving as the primary version for replication and distribution.

Technology and terminology have used master/slave pairings to describe linked systems, though many organizations are adopting alternatives such as primary/replica or leader/follower to avoid negative connotations.

Other uses include traditional honorifics for teachers or figures of authority and, in consensual adult contexts, a role in dominant–submissive relationships. The word “master” thus encompasses historical, technical, educational, and cultural dimensions, with meaning shaped by context and era.