▪ I. masterly, a.
(ˈmɑːstəlɪ)
[f. master n.1 + -ly1.]
† 1. Belonging to, characteristic of, or resembling a master or lord; usually in bad sense, arbitrary, despotic; imperious, overbearing, domineering. Obs.
| 1531–2 Latimer Let. in Foxe A. & M. (1583) 1750 The Galathians..were in a quiet trade vnder the dominion of maysterly Curates. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. (1634) Pref., They stablished..so many canons, so many masterly [F. magistrales] determinations, without any word of God. a 1618 Raleigh Prerog. Parl. (1628) 43 It was a proud and maisterly speech of the Duke. 1645 Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851 IV. 188 It gives place to maisterly power, for the Maister might take away from an Hebrew servant the wife which hee gave him. 1649 ― Eikon. v. ibid. III. 370 He told them with a maisterly Brow, that [etc.]. 1667 Dryden Sir Martin Mar-all iv. i, You are a saucy, masterly companion; and so I leave you. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N.T. 1 Tim. ii. 11 Let them [women]..not be over-talkative and masterly. 1766 Entick London I. 277 If he had been apprized of his masterly behaviour. |
2. Of persons, their qualities, actions, etc.: Resembling or characteristic of a master or skilled workman; skilfully exercised or performed.
masterly inactivity: see inactivity b.
| 1666 Dryden Acc. Ann. Mirab. Wks. (Globe) 40 When action or persons are to be described..how masterly are the strokes of Virgil! 1699 Bentley Phal. Introd. 2 We must expect nothing from Him, but what is masterly and great. 1713 Gay Guardian No. 149 ¶6 You may see the masterly hand of a painter in three or four swift strokes of his pencil. 1773 Mrs. Chapone Improv. Mind (1774) II. 149, I do not wish your knowledge to be exact and masterly. 1804 Med. Jrnl. XII. 174 The small, but masterly work of Le Dran on Gun-shot Wounds. 1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 139 note, She has blended truth with fiction in a masterly way. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) II. iii. 68 The thought is masculine and the expression masterly. 1880 M{supc}Carthy Own Times IV. l. 61 The speeches themselves were masterly as mere literary productions. |
3. masterly lode (in Mining): a main lode. Cf. master lode, master n.1 26 a.
| 1880 Pioneer Mining Co., Lim., Deb. Prospectus 1 It is traversed..by a powerful masterly lode. 1895 B. Scott in Westm. Gaz. 18 Nov. 4/1 A shaft has been sunk..on a strong masterly lode, many feet in thickness. |
▪ II. masterly, adv.
(ˈmɑːstəlɪ)
[f. master n.1 + -ly2.]
In a masterly manner.
| c 1394 P. Pl. Crede 847 Y will nouȝt þis matere maistrely auouen. a 1400–50 Alexander 228 Haile, modi qwene of Messidoyne he maister-like said. c 1410 Lydg. Reas. & Sens. 2396 He kan..Maisterly revel and Daunce, Pipe and floyte lustely. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe Wks. (Grosart) V. 233, I might enamill and hatch ouer this deuice more artificially and masterly. 1611 Shakes. Wint. T. v. iii. 66 Masterly done: The very Life seemes warme vpon her Lippe. 1726 Leoni Alberti's Archit. II. 62 They are masterly wrought. 1887 J. J. Hissey Holiday on Road 382 Its wooden gables..showed how masterly they had been carved of old. |