master copy

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Datamuse reports no synonyms or antonyms for this word.

Noun

1. {{lb|en|publishing|printing}} The [[copy]] that [[act]]s as the [[main]] or [[original]] [[version]] among [[several]] [[copies]], such as the [[master]] [[proof]] where [[change]]s from other [[author]] [[copies]] are [[combine]]d, or a similar [[master]] [[manuscript]] with [[edit]]s [[transfer]]red to it.
2. {{lb|en|business}} An [[original]] [[copy]] of a [[document]], [[digital]] [[file]], [[stencil]], or other [[item]] that [[act]]s as the [[main]] [[version]] used to [[create]] all other [[copy|copies]], such as [[photocopies]], [[printout]]s, or [[duplicate]]s made by [[various]] [[method]]s.
3. {{lb|en|[[fine arts]]}} A [[copy]] of a [[famous]] [[artwork]] made for [[purpose]]s such as [[practice]], [[enjoyment]], [[respect]], or [[imitation]].

Verb

1. {{lb|en|transitive|intransitive|publishing|printing}} To transfer edits to a [[master copy#Noun|master copy]] from various stakeholders' copies (as for example with multiple authors and editors).
2. {{lb|en|transitive|intransitive|[[fine arts]]}} To make a copy of a [[masterpiece]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.