Master (BDSM)
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Gender
The term Master can be used gender-independent or can be used in context to mean male only. There is not otherwise a male equivalent. The female equivalent is Mistress or possibly Dominatrix.
Casual Usage
Some people in a relationship enjoy the psychological impact of calling their partner Master or having their partner call them Master. Such usage is not by itself an indication that they are a master any more than calling a partner 'honey' indicates that they are made of honey.
This usage of the word Master as an honorific is a common source of confusion when trying to use or understand terminology, given that the more accepted usage requires no certification or formal training. Most especially, a Dom might be called Master by his sub.
Owner
Typically, Master is used to describe the dominant partner, or owner, in a Master/Slave relationship. A Master might have little specific expertise although to successfully own a slave, he must have some abilities and skills.
The Master has usually been given the right to exercise authority over the slave in some sense, within a relationship that may extend to a full time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A Master might be a sadist but is unlikely to be a masochist.
