mastership

[ mas-ter-ship, mah-ster- ]

noun

1. the office, function, or authority of a master.
2. control; command:

   to have mastership over one's desires.

3. mastery, as of a subject.
4. expert skill or knowledge:

   He played with the mastership of a devoted musician.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mastership¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; master, -ship

Example Sentences

“Sexual violence is the most cruel, most animalistic way to prove mastership over someone. And for victims of this kind of violence, it is difficult to testify in war times because nobody feels safe”, she said.

From Seattle Times

In 1972, Russell was still lionized for his Senate mastership and his leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee during the Cold War.

From Washington Times

"To he who retrieves the stone, which is the Power of Stormhold, I leave my blessing, and the Mastership of Stormhold and all its dominions," said the eighty-first lord, his voice losing power as he spoke, until once again it was the creak of an old, old man, like the wind blowing through an abandoned house.

From Literature

Snow’s “The Masters” makes heavy weather of an election to fill the vacant mastership of a college at Cambridge University.

From Washington Post

There’s a Shakespeare quote in the book: “...when the sea was calm, all boats alike / show’d mastership in floating...”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ability
• comprehension
• dexterity
• familiarity
• finesse
• genius
• grasp
• knack
• know-how
• knowledge
• proficiency
• prowess
• skill
• understanding
• virtuosity
• wizardry