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past mistress

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noun

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

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Nearby words

Origin of past mistress

First recorded in 1865–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for past mistress

The American girl is past-mistress in the art of turning to account her little capital of beauty, youth, and virtue.
Jonathan and His Continent|Max O'Rell
She was a past-mistress in the arts of scandal-mongering, nagging, and back-biting.
A Woman's Burden|Fergus Hume
Patricia was a past-mistress in the art of ignoring what she considered inconvenient, or personal, remarks.
Patricia|Emilia Elliott
The assaults she made upon his fidelity proved her to be past-mistress of tactics and strategy.
The Boss of Little Arcady|Harry Leon Wilson

Already you are past-mistress on the subject of vases and statues.
Letters to an Unknown|Prosper Mrime