A Latin word meaning 'master' or 'lord,' used historically in academic settings and religious contexts.
From Latin 'dominus,' literally meaning master or lord. Related to Latin 'domus' (house), suggesting a master of a household. The word survived in English through ecclesiastical and academic traditions where Latin remained in use.
The word 'dominus' is the root of so many English words—dominate, domain, domestic, dominion—all showing how this one Latin word ripples through English! In Oxford and Cambridge universities, students still address certain professors as 'Dominus,' keeping medieval traditions alive.
Latin 'dominus' (master/lord) encodes male dominion; spawned 'domination' and domestic authority structures historically wielded by men, reinforcing patriarchal language.
In modern contexts, use 'leader,' 'authority,' or 'master' (in neutral technical sense) rather than Latin gendered terms.
["leader","authority figure","master (technical)","principal"]
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