mastery (master i)

[ For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four champions fierce, Strive here for mastery. Milton , P. L., ii. 899. Their mastery of the sea gave them along every coast a secure basis of operations. J. R. Green, Conquest of England, iii. 2. Ascendancy in war or in competition; the upper hand; superiority; preeminence. It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery. Ex. xxxii. 18. Riding of this steed, brother Bredbeddle, The mastery belongs to me. Ballad of King Arthur (Child's Ballads, L. 242). 3. Expert knowledge or skill; power of using or exercising; dexterity: as, the mastery of an art or science. The 16 medicyn agens the feuere pestilenciale, and the maistrie to cure it. Book of Quinte E ence (ed. Furnivall), p. 23. O, had I now your manner, maistry , might,. How would I draw! B. Jonson, Poet to the Painter. He could attain to a mastery in all languages. Til lots on . 4. Masterly attainment; the gaining of mastership. Now I wole tec he zou the maistrie of departynge of gold fro siluir whanne the i be meyngid togidere. Book of Quinte E ence (ed. Furnivall), p. 9. A science whose mastery demands a whole life of laborious diligence. Story, Misc. Writings, p. 340. 51. A contest for superiority. Holland. He would often times run, leap, and prove masteries with his chiefe courtiers. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1603). ( Nares .) The youth of the sever all wards and parishes contend in other masteries and pastimes. Evelyn , Diary, Jan., 1646. 6t. A masterly operation or act; a triumph of skill. Taketh good heed, ye shul wel seen at ye, That I wol doon a maistrie er I go. Chaucer , Canon's Yeoman's Tale, 1. 49. No maystry is it to get a friend, but for to keepe him long. Babees Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 91. 7t. The finding of the magisterium or philosopher's stone; also, the stone itself. I am the lord of the philosopher's stone, I am the master of the mastery. .. B. Jonson, Alchemist, iv. 1.