Plural of headmaster; the principals or administrators of schools, traditionally the male head of a school.
From Middle English 'head' (principal) plus 'master' (from Old French 'maistre', meaning teacher or skilled person). The compound emerged in medieval times for school leaders.
The term 'headmaster' for male principals and 'headmistress' for female principals reveals historical gender assumptions—modern schools increasingly use 'head of school' or 'principal' regardless of gender.
Historically, 'headmaster' referred exclusively to male school leaders. The term dominated educational hierarchies for centuries, with 'headmistress' emerging as a separate (often lower-status) category for women.
Use 'headmaster' as gender-neutral plural or specify 'headmasters and headmistresses' when referencing mixed-gender leadership cohorts or historical periods.
["principals","school heads","headmasters"]
Women educators built and led schools in roles titled headmistress; their leadership is part of educational history despite gendered naming conventions.
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