masterful (masterful)

[ Shal noon housebonde seyn to me "chek mat!" For eyther they ben ful of jalousie, Or maysterful , or loven novelrye. Chaucer , Troilus, ii. 756. Gower , Conf. Amant., iii. How maisterful loue is in you the! Such parents are invaluable boons to an ambitious, energetic, and masterful child. The Century , XXVIII. 126. 2. Expre ing or indicating mastery; exhibiting force or power: as, a masterful manner or command. - Masterful beggar, formerly, in Scots law , a beggar who took by force or by putting the householders in fear; a sorner. masterfully (mas'ter-ful-i), adv. In a masterful or imperious manner.