immense: …an immense cloud of smoke.
ma ss ma r|ket (mass markets )
1 N‑COUNT Mass market is used to refer to the large numbers of people who want to buy a particular product. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] They now have access to the mass markets of Japan and the U.K…
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Mass-market products are designed and produced for selling to large numbers of people. [BUSINESS ] □ …mass-market paperbacks.
ma ss me |dia N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] You can use the mass media to refer to the various ways, especially television, radio, newspapers, and magazines, by which information and news are given to large numbers of people. □ …mass media coverage of the issue.
ma ss mu r|der (mass murders ) N‑VAR Mass murder is the deliberate illegal killing of a large number of people by a person or an organization.
ma ss mu r|der|er (mass murderers ) N‑COUNT A mass murderer is someone who deliberately kills a large number of people illegally.
ma ss noun (mass nouns )
1 N‑COUNT A mass noun is a noun such as 'wine' which is usually uncount but is used with 'a' or 'an' or used in the plural when it refers to types of that substance, as in 'a range of Australian wines'.
2 N‑COUNT In some descriptions of grammar, a mass noun is the same as an uncount noun .
ma ss-produ ce (mass-produces , mass-producing , mass-produced ) VERB If someone mass-produces something, they make it in large quantities, usually by machine. This means that the product can be sold cheaply. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] …the invention of machinery to mass-produce footwear. ● mass-produced ADJ [ADJ n] □ …the first mass-produced mountain bike.
ma ss pro|du c|tion also mass-production N‑UNCOUNT Mass production is the production of something in large quantities, especially by machine. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] …equipment that would allow the mass production of baby food.
mast /mɑː st, mæ st/ (masts )
1 N‑COUNT The masts of a boat are the tall upright poles that support its sails.
2 N‑COUNT A radio mast is a tall upright structure that is used to transmit radio or television signals.
mas|tec|to|my /mæste ktəmi/ (mastectomies ) N‑VAR A mastectomy is a surgical operation to remove a woman's breast.
mas|ter ◆◆◇ /mɑː stə r , mæ s-/ (masters , mastering , mastered )
1 N‑COUNT A servant's master is the man that he or she works for. □ My master ordered me not to deliver the message except in private.
2 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] A dog's master is the man or boy who owns it. □ The dog yelped excitedly when his master opened a desk drawer and produced his leash.
3 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a master of a particular activity, you mean that they are extremely skilled at it. □ They appear masters in the art of making regulations work their way. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Master is also an adjective. □ …a master craftsman. □ …a master criminal.
4 → see also past master
5 N‑VAR If you are master of a situation, you have complete control over it. □ [+ of ] Jackson remained calm and always master of his passions.
6 VERB If you master something, you learn how to do it properly or you succeed in understanding it completely. □ [V n] Duff soon mastered the skills of radio production. □ [V n] Students are expected to master a second language.
7 VERB If you master a difficult situation, you succeed in controlling it. □ [V n] When you have mastered one situation you have to go on to the next.
8 N‑COUNT A famous male painter of the past is often called a master . □ …a portrait by the Dutch master, Vincent Van Gogh.
9 → see also old master
10 ADJ [ADJ n] A master copy of something such as a film or a tape recording is an original copy that can be used to produce other copies. □ Keep one as a master copy for your own reference and circulate the others.
11 N‑SING A master's degree can be referred to as a master's . □ [+ in ] I've a master's in economics. SYNONYMS master NOUN 1
lord: …the lords of the black market.
ruler: He was a weak-willed and indecisive ruler.
boss: He cannot stand his boss.
employer: He had been sent to Rome by his employer. COLLOCATIONS master VERB 6
master + noun : art, basics, skill, technique; language, technology
master + adverb : completely, successfully
ma s|ter be d|room (master bedrooms ) N‑COUNT The master bedroom in a large house is the largest bedroom.
mas|ter|class /mɑː stə r klɑːs, mæ stə r klæs/ (masterclasses ) N‑COUNT A masterclass is a lesson where someone who is an expert at something such as dancing or music gives advice to a group of good students. Masterclasses usually take place in public or are broadcast on television.
mas|ter|ful /mɑː stə r f ə l, mæ s-/
1 ADJ If you describe a man as masterful , you approve of him because he behaves in a way which shows that he is in control of a situation and can tell other people what to do. [APPROVAL ] □ Big, successful moves need bold, masterful managers.
2 ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour or actions as masterful , you mean that they show great skill. □ …a masterful performance of boxing and punching skills.