past mistress

American  

noun

1. a woman who is thoroughly experienced or exceptionally skilled in a profession, art, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of past mistress

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

past mistress

In recent years, she played Felicity Huffman's mother on "Desperate Housewives" and the past mistress of Tony Soprano's late father on "The Sopranos."

From US News ● Sep. 20, 2014

In recent years, she played Felicity Huffman’s mother on Desperate Housewives and the past mistress of Tony Soprano’s late father on The Sopranos.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 20, 2014

In recent years, she played Felicity Huffman's mother on “Desperate Housewives” and the past mistress of Tony Soprano's late father on “The Sopranos.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2014

Wasikowska — the pensive Alice in Tim Burton’s Wonderland, the troubled teen on In Therapy, Jane Eyre to Michael Fassbender’s Rochester — is a past mistress at playing odd girls.

From Time ● Mar. 1, 2013

Sally was not merely a past mistress of dissimulation; she was the undisputed reigning queen in that realm.

From Blacksheep! Blacksheep! by Nicholson, Meredith