Adjacent Words

master of ceremonies definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers) [syn: master of ceremonies, emcee, host]

Merriam Webster's

Date: circa 1610 1. a person who determines the forms to be observed on a public occasion 2. a person who acts as host at a formal event 3. a person who acts as host for a program of entertainment (as on television)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Ceremony Cer"e*mo*ny, n.; pl. Ceremonies. [F. c['e]r['e]monie, L. caerimonia; perh. akin to E. create and from a root signifying to do or make.] 1. Ar act or series of acts, often of a symbolical character, prescribed by law, custom, or authority, in the conduct of important matters, as in the performance of religious duties, the transaction of affairs of state, and the celebration of notable events; as, the ceremony of crowning a sovereign; the ceremonies observed in consecrating a church; marriage and baptismal ceremonies. According to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it [the Passover]. --Numb. ix. 3 Bring her up the high altar, that she may The sacred ceremonies there partake. --Spenser. [The heralds] with awful ceremony And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim A solemn council. --Milton. 2. Behavior regulated by strict etiquette; a formal method of performing acts of civility; forms of civility prescribed by custom or authority. Ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on . . . hollow welcomes . . . But where there is true friendship there needs none. --Shak. Al ceremonies are in themselves very silly things; but yet a man of the world should know them. --Chesterfield. 3. A ceremonial symbols; an emblem, as a crown, scepter, garland, etc. [Obs.] Disrobe the images, If you find them decked with ceremonies. . . . Let no images Be hung with C[ae]sar's trophies. --Shak. 4. A sign or prodigy; a portent. [Obs.] C[ae]sar, I never stood on ceremonies, Yet, now they fright me. --Shak. Master of ceremonies, an officer who determines the forms to be observed, or superintends their observance, on a public occasion. Not to stand on ceremony, not to be ceremonious; to be familiar, outspoken, or bold.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(masters of ceremonies) At events such as formal dinners, award ceremonies, and variety shows, the master of ceremonies is the person who introduces the speakers or performers, and who announces what is going to happen next. N-COUNT

Moby Thesaurus

AFTRA, Abbot of Unreason, DJ, Lord of Misrule, MC, anchor man, announcer, attorney, auteur, bailiff, ballyhoo man, barker, broadcaster, butler, callboy, commentator, costume designer, costumer, costumier, croupier, curator, custodian, director, disk jockey, emcee, equestrian director, exhibitor, factor, guardian, housekeeper, impresario, landreeve, librarian, majordomo, makeup man, marshal, news commentator, newscaster, playreader, proctor, procurator, producer, program director, programmer, prompter, radiobroadcaster, ringmaster, scenewright, seneschal, set designer, showman, social director, sound-effects man, spieler, sportscaster, stage director, stage manager, steward, theater man, theatrician, ticket collector, toastmaster, usher, usherer, usherette