masterlingn.
/ˈmɑːstəlɪŋ/, /ˈmastəlɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈmæstərlɪŋ/ Now rare.† 1. A person who has the power of a master; a conqueror; a chief. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > [noun] > those in authority > person in authority > head or chief
headeOE
headmanOE
headsmanOE
masterlinga1200
dukec1275
chevetaine1297
chief1297
headlingc1300
principalc1325
captainc1380
primatec1384
chieftainc1400
master-man1424
principate1483
grand captain1531
headmaster?1545
knap of the casec1555
capitano1594
muqaddam1598
mudaliyar1662
reis1677
sachem1684
doge1705
prytanis1790
gam1827
main guy1882
oga1917
ras1935
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 113 (MED) Tollite portas principes uestras..ge maisterlinges of þesternesse openeð giwer gaten.
c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) 400 Ich habbe biȝeten on þee a kyng Þat schal be Philippes maisterlyng.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 481 A proude feste of princes & dukis With maisterlingis of Messadone.
2. A petty or insignificant master.
ΚΠ
1869 J. C. Atkinson Peacock's Gloss. Dial. Hundred of Lonsdale Maisterlin', a would-be master, a petty master.
1880 L. Fagan Life Panizzi I. 52 Your most benign petty masterling's lawful authority.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1200