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master copy. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
master copy, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
master copy in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
master copy you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Alternative forms
Noun
master copy (plural master copies)
- (publishing, printing) The copy that serves as the controlling (master) version among a set of copies (as, for example, the master proof to which edits from the authors' proofs are transferred, or an analogous master manuscript with transferred edits).
- (business) An original instance—copy of a document, copy of a digital file (or, metonymically, the disk that contains it), stencil, or otherwise—that serves as a controlling version from which duplicates are made (such as photocopies, printouts, mimeographs, transcluded instances, static content forks, stenciling impression instances, or otherwise).
- Synonym: original
- (fine arts) A copy from a master (a copy of a masterpiece), done for reasons including training, enjoyment, homage, pastiche, or otherwise.
Usage notes
Most senses of the terms master copy and mastercopy have the semantic notion of "the copy that is the master version", but the fine arts sense of the terms instead has the semantic notion of "a copy of the master version". This sense difference puts the pair into the class of contranyms, albeit it a little-used example of that class.
Derived terms