concertmaster
UK[ˈkɒnsətmɑːstə]US[ˈkɑːnsərtmæstər]
n
the leading first-violin player in an orchestra, who plays the solo passages and sometimes acts as an assistant conductor.
Morpheme Breakdown
concert
master
concert
master
Etymology
The word 'concertmaster' is a transparent 19th-century English compound, directly combining 'concert' and 'master'. 'Concert' entered English via French from Italian 'concerto', which itself derives from the Latin 'concertare', meaning to contend or dispute, later evolving to signify harmonious agreement in music. 'Master' has a deep Germanic lineage, from Old English 'mægester', borrowed from Latin 'magister', meaning a chief or teacher. The compound's logic is perfectly literal: the master or leader of the concert (orchestra). It is the direct English equivalent of the German orchestral term 'Konzertmeister'.
Analysis
Structure: concert + master
- concert: From Italian 'concerto', meaning a public musical performance. In this compound, it signifies the musical ensemble.
- master: From Old English 'mægester', meaning a person skilled in something, a leader or chief. In this compound, it signifies the leader or principal player.
Examples
The concertmaster stood to tune the orchestra before the conductor's entrance.
As concertmaster, she has a demanding solo in the third movement.
The young violinist aspired to become the concertmaster of a major symphony orchestra.