Noah Webster
Mastery
M'ASTERY, noun Dominion; power of governing or commanding.
If divided by mountains, they will fight for the mastery of the passages of the tops--Raleigh
1. Superiority in competition; preeminence.
Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. 1 Corinthians 9:25.
2. Victory in war.
It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, Exodus 32:18.
3. Eminent skill; superior dexterity.
He could attain to a mastery in all languages.
4. Attainment of eminent skill or power.
The learning and mastery of a tongue being unpleasant in itself, should not be cumbered with other difficulties.--Locke