maîtrise
mastery, command
noun meh-TREEZ Rare
Origin: Old French 'maistre' (master)
Also means
master's degree (France)
Usage Note
Maîtrise has two common senses: expertise or command over something (une maîtrise parfaite de l'anglais = perfect command of English) and the French post-graduate degree equivalent to a master's, though this academic sense is being replaced by the EU-harmonised master. The verb is maîtriser (to master, to control). Note the circumflex on the i.
Examples
"Sa maîtrise des langues étrangères est impressionnante."
Natural Translation
Her command of foreign languages is impressive.
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