different between masterful vs clever
masterful
English
Alternative forms
- masterfull (archaic)
Etymology
From Middle English maysterful, maistrefull, equivalent to master +? -ful.
Adjective
masterful (comparative more masterful, superlative most masterful)
- 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.
- The masterful conducting ensured the orchestra gave of their best.
- 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:
- ...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...
- 1868-69, Louisa May Alcott, Little Women, Chapter 38:
- When John spoke in that masterful tone, Meg always obeyed, and never regretted her docility.
- 1908, E. M. Forster, A Room with a View, Chapter 18, Lucy to Mr. Beebe about Cecil:
- ...it was that he is so masterful. I found that he wouldn't let me go my own way.
- 1847, Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, Chapter 14, Rochester to Jane by the fire:
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
- masterfulness
Related terms
- masterly
Anagrams
- streamful
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clever
English
Etymology
From East Anglian dialectal English cliver (“expert at seizing”), from Middle English cliver (“tenacious”), perhaps from Old English *clifer, clibbor (“clinging”), or perhaps from East Frisian (compare Saterland Frisian kluftich), or dialectal Norwegian klover (“ready, skillful”); possibly influenced by Old English clifer (“claw, hand”). Related to cleave. Perhaps influenced by Welsh celfydd (“talented, dexterous, expert”).
Pronunciation
- (US) IPA(key): /?kl?v?/
- Rhymes: -?v?(r)
- Hyphenation: clev?er
Adjective
clever (comparative cleverer or more clever, superlative cleverest or most clever)
- Nimble with hands or body; skillful; adept.
- a. 1898, Francis James Child (collator), Child's Ballads, 198: "Bonny John Seton",
- The Highland men, they're clever men / At handling sword and shield,
- a. 1898, Francis James Child (collator), Child's Ballads, 198: "Bonny John Seton",
- Resourceful, sometimes to the point of cunning.
- 1890, Joseph Jacobs (collator), Molly Whuppie, English Fairy Tales,
- The youngest of the three strange lassies was called Molly Whuppie, and she was very clever. She noticed that before they went to bed the giant put straw ropes round her neck and her sisters', and round his own lassies' necks, he put gold chains. So Molly took care and did not fall asleep, but waited till she was sure every one was sleeping sound. Then she slipped out of the bed, and took the straw ropes off her own and her sisters' necks, and took the gold chains off the giant's lassies. She then put the straw ropes on the giant's lassies and the gold on herself and her sisters, and lay down.
- 1890, Joseph Jacobs (collator), Molly Whuppie, English Fairy Tales,
- Smart, intelligent, or witty; mentally quick or sharp.
- 19th c, Charles Kingsley, A Farewell,
- Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever; / Do noble things, not dream them all day long: / And so make life, death, and that vast forever / One grand, sweet song.
- 1912, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Constance Garnett (translator), The Brothers Karamazov, Book V, Chapter 7: "It's Always Worth While Speaking to a Clever Man",
- I would have sent Alyosha, but what use is Alyosha in a thing like that? I send you just because you are a clever fellow. Do you suppose I don't see that? You know nothing about timber, but you've got an eye.
- 19th c, Charles Kingsley, A Farewell,
- Showing inventiveness or originality; witty.
- (anthropology, of an Aboriginal Australian) Possessing magical abilities.
- 1904, Journal & Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, Vol. XXXVIII, page 255,
- When a clever man is out hunting and comes across the tracks of, say, a kangaroo, he follows them along and talks to the footprints all the time for the purpose of injecting magic into the animal which made them.
- 1947, Oceania, Volumes 16-17, page 330,
- Prior to this, the two women, who were “clever,” and possessed a certain amount of magical “power,” […] .
- 1904, Journal & Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, Vol. XXXVIII, page 255,
- (obsolete) Fit; suitable; having propriety.
- 18th c, Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope (later lines), Imitation of Horace, 1852, Charles Knight (collator), Half-hours with the Best Authors, Volume 4, page 188,
- I can't but think 'twould sound more clever, / To me and to my heirs forever.
- 18th c, Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope (later lines), Imitation of Horace, 1852, Charles Knight (collator), Half-hours with the Best Authors, Volume 4, page 188,
- (obsolete) Well-shaped; handsome.
- 1712, John Arbuthnot, The History of John Bull, Undated modern edition, Library of Alexandria, unnumbered page,
- The girl was a tight, clever wench as any was.
- 1712, John Arbuthnot, The History of John Bull, Undated modern edition, Library of Alexandria, unnumbered page,
- (US, dated) Good-natured; obliging.
- (Britain, colloquial) Fit and healthy; free from fatigue or illness.
Synonyms
- (smart, intelligent or witty): quick-witted, sharp-witted
- See also Thesaurus:intelligent
- (resourceful, perhaps cunning): cunning, street-smart
- (nimble or skillful): adroit, talented
- (showing inventiveness): ingenious
- (possessing magical powers): magical
Antonyms
- (smart, intelligent or witty): dull, stupid
- (resourceful, perhaps cunning): ineffectual, naive
- (nimble or skillful): clumsy
- (showing inventiveness):
- (possessing magical powers): natural
Derived terms
Translations
References
Further reading
- clever in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- clever in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
- clever at OneLook Dictionary Search
Anagrams
- Clerve
German
Etymology
From English clever.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [?kl?v?]
- Hyphenation: cle?ver
Adjective
clever (comparative cleverer or clevrer, superlative am cleversten)
- clever
Declension
Further reading
- “clever” in Duden online
Middle English
Noun
clever
- Alternative form of clevere
clever From the web:
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