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master
master, originally a rank in the Royal Navy during the days of sail as well as a rank in the merchant marine. The naval master was a specialist navigator and ship handler whose function was to manoeuvre his ship into a position required by the captain. Appointed by the commissioners of the navy, he was required to be a good officer and seaman, and ranked as a subordinate to a lieutenant. After 1814 a master ranked with a commander and was known as master and commander, but this position was abolished towards the end of the 19th century when the navy established a professional hierarchy of navigators. He had assistants, classed as master's mates, who kept watch.
Nowadays a merchant service master is a qualified master mariner, though the term master mariner can apply to any merchant service officer who has the necessary qualifications but who has insufficient seagoing experience to hold the rank of master. A master is certified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the United Kingdom, or its equivalent in other countries, his certificate being regulated by the International Maritime Organization's Convention on Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), which now governs the certification of seafarers worldwide. The qualification has varying grades and endorsements for specialists in tankers (chemical, gas, and oil), bulk carriers, and sail training vessels. One especially important feature of the Convention is that it applies to ships of non-party states when entering ports of states which are parties to the Convention. Currently, there are 144 signatories to it which together control over 98% of the world's shipping tonnage. Masters of ships carry heavy responsibilities to their owners, charterers, maritime organizations, safety executives, the environment, and their crew members, in addition to their seafaring functions of navigating and ship handling. The Indian master of the ultra-large crude oil carrier (ULCC) Jahre Viking was described as a ‘hero’ by a Royal Naval captain in appreciation of the skill and care required in navigating and handling this ship—the largest man-made moving object in the world. This vessel carries over 550,000 tonnes of crude oil at 14 knots with a draft of more than 23.7 metres (80 ft) and a turning circle of over 3 kilometres (2 mls.). The same epithet was also applied to the British master of Brunel's Great Eastern, who carried an equally heavy burden in 1859. The master of a German ship negotiating, for instance, the Saimaa Canal locks in Finland, where the clearance is measured in centimetres, needs to exercise just as much skill and care. These different vessels point up the universal character of masters and their qualifications. The international status of STCW and its ongoing amendments reflect the many changes in seafaring since the days of master and commander. Martin Lee |
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"master." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "master." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-master.html "master." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-master.html |
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master
mas·ter1 / ˈmastər/ • n. 1. chiefly hist. a man who has people working for him, esp. servants or slaves: he acceded to his master's wishes. ∎ a person who has dominance or control of something: he was master of the situation. ∎ a machine or device directly controlling another: [as adj.] a master cylinder. Compare with slave. ∎ dated a male head of a household: the master of the house. ∎ the owner of a dog, horse, or other domesticated animal. 2. a skilled practitioner of a particular art or activity: I'm a master of disguise. ∎ a great artist, esp. one belonging to the accepted canon: the work of the great masters is spread around the art galleries of the world. ∎ a very strong chess or bridge player, esp. one who has qualified for the title at international tournaments: a chess master. See also grand master. ∎ (Masters) [treated as sing.] (in some sports) a class for competitors over the usual age for the highest level of competition. 3. a person who holds a second or further degree from a university or other academic institution (only in titles and set expressions): a master's degree a Master of Arts. 4. a man in charge of an organization or group, in particular: ∎ chiefly Brit. a male schoolteacher, esp. at a public or prep school. ∎ the head of a college or school. ∎ the captain of a merchant ship. 5. used as a title prefixed to the name of a boy not old enough to be called “Mr.”: Master James Williams. ∎ archaic a title for a man of high rank or learning. ∎ the title of the heir apparent of a Scottish viscount or baron. 6. an original movie, recording, or document from which copies can be made: [as adj.] the master tape. • adj. 1. having or showing very great skill or proficiency: a master painter. ∎ denoting a person skilled in a particular trade and able to teach others: a master bricklayer. 2. main; principal: the master bedroom. • v. [tr.] 1. acquire complete knowledge or skill in (an accomplishment, technique, or art): I never mastered Latin. 2. gain control of; overcome: I managed to master my fears. 3. make a master copy of (a movie or record). DERIVATIVES: mas·ter·dom / -dəm/ n. mas·ter·hood / -ˌhoŏd/ n. mas·ter·less adj. mas·ter·ship / -ˌship/ n. mas·ter2 • n. [in comb.] a ship or boat with a specified number of masts: a three-master. |
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"master." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "master." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-master.html "master." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-master.html |
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master
master.
A. man having control or authority; B. teacher OE. (one who has received an academic degree orig. conveying authority to teach XIV); C. title of rank or compliment XIII; title of presiding officer, etc. XIV. OE. mæġister, maġister (corr. to OS. mēster, (O)HG. meister, ON. meistari), a Gmc. adoption from L.; reinforced by OF. maistre (mod. maître) — L. magistrum, nom. magister, usu. referred to magis adv. more. cf. MISTER1. Hence masterful XIV. masterpiece XVII; after Du. meesterstuk or G. meisterstück piece of work qualifying a craftsman. mastery XIII. ME. meistrie — OF. maistrie. |
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T. F. HOAD. "master." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "master." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-master.html T. F. HOAD. "master." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-master.html |
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Master
MASTERAn individual who hires employees or servants to perform services and who directs the manner in which such services are performed. A court officer appointed by a judge to perform such jobs as examining witnesses, taking testimony, computing damages, or taking oaths, affidavits, or acknowledgments of deeds. A master makes a report of his or her findings to the judge so a decree can be formulated. A master in chancery was an officer in Chancery Court in England. In the U. S. these duties may be rendered by a court clerk, commissioner, auditor, or referee. |
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"Master." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Master." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437702850.html "Master." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437702850.html |
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master
master like master, like man proverbial saying, mid 16th century (man here means ‘servant’). The same idea is found in the Satyricon of the Roman satyrist Petronius Arbiter (d. ad 65), ‘as is the master, so is the servant,’ and in early 14th-century French, ‘it is said, for such a lord such a manservant.’
See also the eye of a master does more work, fire is a good servant but a bad master, Jack is as good as his master, Jack of all trades and master of none, masters, old master. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "master." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "master." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-master.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "master." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-master.html |
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master
master Used in AV and NJB in addresses to Jesus (e.g. Matt. 12: 38) where REB and NRSV prefer ‘Teacher’—though REB and NJB use Master in Matt. 21: 3 where AV and NRSV translate ‘the Lord’ for a different noun in the Greek. A third Greek noun is used for Master (six times in Luke e.g. Luke 5: 5, AV, NRSV, REB, NJB) where there is an overtone of authority.
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W. R. F. BROWNING. "master." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. W. R. F. BROWNING. "master." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-master.html W. R. F. BROWNING. "master." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-master.html |
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master
master 2 n. a ship or boat with a specified number of masts: a three-master.
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"master." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "master." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-master1.html "master." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-master1.html |
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master
master See master-slave system, bus arbitration.
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JOHN DAINTITH. "master." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN DAINTITH. "master." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-master.html JOHN DAINTITH. "master." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-master.html |
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master
master 1 n. the captain of a merchant ship.
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Cite this article
"master." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "master." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-master.html "master." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-master.html |
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master
master •barter, Bata, cantata, carter, cassata, charter, chipolata, ciabatta, darter, desiderata, errata, garter, imprimatur, Inkatha, Jakarta, Magna Carta, Maratha, martyr, Odonata, passata, persona non grata, rata, Renata, Río de la Plata, serenata, sonata, Sparta, starter, strata, taramasalata, tartar, Tatar, Zapata
•after, drafter, grafter, hereafter, laughter, rafter, thereafter, whereafter
•chanter, enchanter, granter, planter, supplanter, transplanter, Vedanta
•blaster, caster, castor, faster, grandmaster, headmaster, master, pastor, plaster
•alabaster • telecaster • forecaster
•broadcaster • sportscaster
•newscaster • sandblaster
•bandmaster • taskmaster
•pastmaster • paymaster • ringmaster
•quizmaster • spymaster
•housemaster • Scoutmaster
•toastmaster • schoolmaster
•harbourmaster (US harbormaster)
•quartermaster • substrata
•sought-after
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"master." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "master." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-master.html "master." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-master.html |
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