ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mastery

n.
US //ˈmæstɝi// UK //mˈɑːstəɹi// mas·tery
  1. 1 control or power (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    control or power over a person, a group, or a situation.

    the power to control or command; dominion or superiority over others.

    Example

    The army struggled to gain mastery over the rebel forces.

    Example

    The empire's mastery over the trade routes ensured its economic dominance for several centuries.

  2. 2 victory (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    winning a struggle or a competition.

    superiority or victory in a contest, competition, or struggle.

    Example

    The team finally achieved mastery over their rivals in the final game.

    Example

    After a long and bitter conflict, the king finally established mastery over the warring factions within his court.

Origin

From Middle English maistery, maistrie, mastere, mastry, from Old French maistrie, equivalent to master + -y.

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