Is the word 'master' always gendered?

Question

The word 'master' is obviously gendered sometimes, but is it always so?

There is the perhaps traditional sense associated with servitude.

Master Frodo
Master of the realm

In these cases the word cold be replaced with mistress without sounding unusual.

Then there are cases which are traditional terms, but don't seem to be applied differently if a female is applicable.

master at arms
quarter master

Then there is a more general. Master of something. For example

She was a master of disguise

To my mind this may not be gendered. I've not seen 'mistress' used in this way. Also outside of a formal title 'mistress' has other, less positive connotations.

Is it still gendered in this sense? Are there good neutral alternatives?

Dave · Answer

Think of Actor and Actress. In general, Actress has been dropped in the US in favor a more gender neutral approach.

As language and usage evolved, Mistress is gradually bring dropped in favor of Master. Mistress has several other connotations including the use in the power-exchange community.

Also, regardless of one's gender, one earns a Masters Degree...

As Sapir and Whorf suggest, language and use do evolve.

Steven C · Answer

In all instances master is the masculine form and mistress is the feminine form. So yes, master always refers to a male and mistress always refers to a female.

Is the word 'master' always gendered?

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