Masterpieces

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A work of art or literature that exemplifies superior skill and creativity is often regarded as a benchmark for excellence in its field
2. A creation that demonstrates outstanding originality and craftsmanship is typically hailed as a quintessential example of its genre
3. An outstanding artistic or literary creation recognized for its exceptional quality and skill

Etymology: "Masterpieces" is the plural of "masterpiece," and the singular's history is the more interesting part. The word was built from "master" and "piece," but it is a calque: a word-for-word translation of Dutch "meesterstuk" or German "Meisterstück." The sense came from the guild system of craftsmen. A journeyman who wanted to become a master had to produce a sample piece of work to prove his skill, and that finished piece was his masterpiece. English took the idea from those continental guilds and kept the literal structure, so the word originally named a qualifying work of a tradesman rather than a painting or a novel. Over time its meaning widened to any work of exceptional skill, and the guild origin became a metaphor for the highest achievement in an art form.

Synonyms: masterworks, classics