See Also: masterpiece(dictionary)
masterpiece(dictionary)

masterpiece (iou)



masterpiece noun. E17.
[from MASTER noun1 & adjective + PIECE noun, after Dutch meesterstuk, German Meisterstuck.]
A work of outstanding artistry or skill; a masterly production; a consummate example of some skill or other kind of excellence; (with possess.) a person's best piece of work. E17.
Shakespeare Macbeth Confusion now hath made his masterpiece. F. Quarles Man is heav'n's Master-piece. K. Clark It is..a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. A. Lurie A dealer can't always fill his gallery with masterpieces. fig.: Jonson Here, we must rest; this is our maister-piece; We cannot thinke to goe beyond this.
b. A remarkable or singular person or thing. colloq. E20.
The most important feature, or the chief excellence, of a person or thing. Only in 17.