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masterpiece definition

master·piece (mas′tər pēs′)

noun

  1. a thing made or done with masterly skill; great work of art or craftsmanship
  2. the greatest work made or done by a person or group

Etymology: calque of Ger meisterstück

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

masterpiece Synonyms

masterpiece

n.

masterwork, magnum opus (Latin), chef d'oeuvre, coup de maître, pièce de résistance (all French), classic, work of art, prize, gem, jewel, showpiece, treasure.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

masterpiece Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • understatement: He says, in a masterpiece of understatement: " I have some misgivings ( !

Converse of object

  • overlook: But what if these overlooked masterpieces were playing at your local picture house, in pristine prints with beguiling new advertising?

Adjective modifier

  • operatic: He had an immense knowledge and understanding of the repertoire, his favorites being the Russian operatic masterpieces.

Noun used with modifier

  • baroque: DI Michael joined a ceremonial procession through the grand squares of Sir Christopher Wren's baroque masterpiece on the banks of the Thames.
masterpiece usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

masterpiece quotes

The more books we read, the sooner we perceive that the only function of a writer isto producea masterpiece. No other task is of any consequence.

-Connolly, Cyril Vernon

Nature's great masterpiece, an Elephant.

-Donne,John

A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.

-Emerson, RalphWaldo

masterpiece quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"masterpiece." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/masterpiece>

APA Style

masterpiece. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/masterpiece

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