English

Alternative forms

• past-master, pastmaster

Noun

past master ‎(plural past masters)

1. (freemasonry) Someone who has previously been a master at a given lodge.
2. One who has an extremely high level of ability or knowledge within an area of achievement or expertise.
   • 1900, Jack London, "The Son of the Wolf":

     It required a deft hand and deep knowledge of the barbaric mind effectually to handle such diverse weapons; but he was a past-master in the art.

   • 1907, Fergus Hume, The Green Mummy, ch. 27:

     Hervey responded with such volubility that anyone could see he was a pastmaster in Castilian swearing.

   • 1914, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Son of Tarzan, ch. 17:

     Morison was a past master in the art of insidious boasting.

   • 2007 May 21, Richard Corliss and Mary Corliss, "Cannes Journal: Mighty Hearts and Dark Deeds," Time:

     Winterbottom is a past master at lending the traditional story-telling format to real stories of the modern world at war.

Synonyms

• expert, guru; see also Wikisaurus:skilled person

References

• past master at OneLook Dictionary Search