past mistressn.
/ˈpɑːs(t) ˌmɪstrᵻs/, /ˈpas(t) ˌmɪstrᵻs/, U.S. /ˈpæs(t) ˈmɪstrᵻs/ A woman who is especially adept or expert in a specified subject or activity. With in, of, at. Cf. past master n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skilful person > a master or mistress
masterc1430
mistressc1440
doctor1548
archemaster1570
graduate1582
pass-master1599
possessor1713
past master1840
past mistress1868
passed master1882
ustad1903
maestro1938
1868 M. E. Braddon Dead-Sea Fruit II. vi. 90 The lovely proprietress..was past-mistress in the art.
1892 Athenæum 23 July 129/1 Her portrayal of Grimalkin in his fiercer mood proves her a past-mistress of cat character.
1915 W. S. Maugham Of Human Bondage xcii. 483 You're a past mistress of the cock-and-bull story.
1939 A. Thirkell Before Lunch iii. 56 Mrs. Middleton was a past mistress in the art of keeping a staff.
2003 Times Educ. Suppl. (Nexis) 10 Jan. 44 She's a past mistress at getting everything out of proportion.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1868