| 释义 |
master-work|ˈmɑːstəwɜːk|
[See master n.1 26 a. Cf. G. meisterwerk.]
1. An action or procedure of chief importance.
c1606Daniel On Death of Erle of Devon. 216 That famous seige, the Master-worke of all. 1719Young Revenge ii, My next care is to hasten these new nuptials, And then my master-works begin to play. 1719London & Wise Compl. Gard. vi. 109 The Master Work of Gardening, which is Pruning.
2. A work of pre-eminent merit; a masterpiece.
1617Moryson Itin. i. 4 A..Clocke, in the top whereof is a picture,..which Painters esteeme a master worke. 1667Milton P.L. vii. 505 There wanted yet the Master work, the end Of all yet don. 1789Gibbon Autobiog. (1854) 13 Mr. Law's master-work, the Serious Call, is still read. 1843J. A. Smith Product. Farming (ed. 2) 56 The flowers..appear as the master-work of Nature in the vegetable kingdom. 1880Swinburne Stud. Shaks. 74 Being thus, as he is, the English masterwork of Shakespeare's hand.
†3. A main channel for draining or irrigation. Obs.
1652W. Blithe Eng. Improv. Impr. ix. (ed. 2) 54 Then must not of necessity all the Out-lets or Mouths of all the Master⁓work, and Sluces, and Water-gates be widened? 1789T. Wright Meth. Watering Meadows (1790) 47 The master⁓work which waters the highest..part of the land. |