Masterful vs Apt - What's the difference?
masterful | apt |
Of or pertaining to the manner of a master of an art, technique, profession, or craft; masterly.
:The brushwork on the skin tones was masterful .
In the manner of a master; very skillful.
Having or showing the qualities of a master vis-a-vis a dependent or subordinate; authoritative; domineering.
* 1847 , Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre , Chapter 14, Rochester to Jane by the fire:
* 1868-69 , Louisa May Alcott, Little Women , Chapter 38:
* 1908 , E. M. Forster, A Room with a View , Chapter 18, Lucy to Mr. Beebe about Cecil:
Suitable; appropriate; fit or fitted; suited.
* (Jeremy Taylor) (1613–1677)
(of persons or things) Having a habitual tendency; habitually liable or likely; disposed towards.
* (1628–1699)
* (1834-1913)
* (Fairfax Harrison) (1869-1938)
Ready]]; especially fitted or [[qualify, qualified (to do something); quick to learn; prompt; expert; as, a pupil apt to learn; an apt scholar.
* (rfdate) Johnson
* (rfdate) (William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)
*:(Although I) live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die.
As an adjective masterful
is of or pertaining to the manner of a master of an art, technique, profession, or craft; masterly.As a noun apt is
.As a proper noun apt is
.masterful
English
Alternative forms
* masterfull (archaic)Adjective
(en adjective)- The masterful conducting ensured the orchestra gave of their best .
- ...do you not agree with me that I have a right to be a little masterful , abrupt; perhaps exacting, sometimes, on the grounds I stated...
- When John spoke in that masterful tone, Meg always obeyed, and never regretted her docility.
- ...it was that he is so masterful . I found that he wouldn't let me go my own way.
Usage notes
Historically, definition 3 of masterful''''' (authoritative, domineering) has long been losing ground to definitions 1 and 2 (masterly, skillful). In nineteenth century US usage of '''''masterful , definition 3 was almost always meant (10:1). In contemporary US usage, however, the situation is reversed: definitions 1 or 2 are usually meant (10:1).Derived terms
* masterfully * masterfulnessapt
English
Adjective
(en-adj)- Tonight there’s a full moon, which is apt , since the election night will bring out the lunatics.
- a river apt to be forded by a lamb
- My vines and peacheswere apt to have a soot or smuttiness upon their leaves and fruit.
- This tree, if unprotected, is apt to be stripped of its leaves by a leaf-cutting ant.
- that lofty pity with which prosperous folk are apt to remember their grandfathers
- An apt wit.