masterwork
傑作
解説 Definition
最高水準の芸術作品や技術的成果。代表作、傑作のこと。
A masterwork is a work of art, writing, music, or other creative work that is considered excellent and of very high quality. It is often seen as one of the best works by a person or in a particular field. The word is used for important, highly respected creations.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
master + work で「達人の仕事」と分けると覚えやすいです。master は「主人」より「極めた人・熟達した」という感覚が大事で、そこに work がつくので、普通の作品ではなく腕前がはっきり出た最高水準の作品を指します。a literary masterwork, a cinematic masterwork のように芸術分野でよく使われ、masterpiece と近いですが、masterwork は「仕事ぶり・完成度」の高さに意識を向けると区別しやすいです。
Split it into `master + work`. It is the kind of work that shows the level of a master, not just any good piece. This makes it easy to connect with art, books, films, and other finished creations. Think of it as very close to `masterpiece`, but with extra focus on the quality of the work itself.
例文
Critics hailed the novel as a masterwork of contemporary literary fiction.
批評家たちはその小説を現代文学の傑作として称賛した。
The cathedral is widely regarded as a masterwork of Gothic architecture.
その大聖堂はゴシック建築の傑作として広く認められている。
After decades of painstaking effort, the artist finally completed her masterwork.
何十年にもわたる苦心の末、その芸術家はついに傑作を完成させた。
masterwork の類義語・関連語
紛らわしい語
masterwork の語源・成り立ち Etymology
masterworkは英語の複合語で、master はラテン語 magister「指導者」、work は古英語 weorc「仕事」に由来します。つまり原義は「名人の仕事」で、そこから「傑作」へ発展しました。関連語に maestro、workman があります。
Masterwork is a native English compound of master and work. Master comes through Old English and Old French from Latin magister, meaning a chief or teacher, and work comes from Old English weorc. The original sense was the work made by a skilled master, which later developed into the idea of an outstanding or model piece. Related words include maestro and workmanship.
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