masterynoun/ˈmɑːs.t(ə.)ɹi/

• 1

  The position or authority of a master; dominion; command; supremacy; superiority.

  • If divided by mountains, they will fight for the mastery of the passages of the tops.
  • The desert storm was riding in its strength; the travellers lay beneath the mastery of the fell simoom. Whirling wreaths and columns of burning wind, rushed around and over them.
• 2

  Superiority in war or competition; victory; triumph; preeminence.

  • They were faire Ladies, till they fondly ſtriu’d / With th’Heliconian maides for mayſtery; / Of whom they ouer-comen, were depriu’d / Of their proud beautie, and th’one moyity / Transform’d to fiſh, for their bold ſurquedry, / But th’vpper halfe their hew retayned ſtill, / And their ſweet skill in wonted melody; / Which euer after they abuſd to ill, / T’allure weake traueillers, whom gotten they did kill.
  • The voice of them that shout for mastery.
• 3

  The act or process of mastering; the state of having mastered; expertise.

  • He […]could attain to a mastery in all languages.
  • The learning and mastery of a tongue, being unpleasant in itself, should not be cumbered with other difficulties.
• 4

  obsoleteA contest for superiority.

  • […] pastimes of wrestling, and like maſteries betweene the Citizens of London and others of the Suburbes […]
  • Rury has given the word for some rare sport — a bout of games and masteries between me and Marcos Serkman to prove which is the better man.
• 5

  obsoleteA masterly operation; a feat.

  • Ye welsh men..brake out vpon the Englysshe men in ye Bordour..and there made masteryes for a whyle.
  • That ye maye knowe..what masteryes they haue played.
• 6

  obsoleteThe philosopher's stone.