Master Tape Definition/Meaning:  

A magnetic tape volume that is used in a data-processing operation without any change to its contents. It may contain a master file, or part of one. A master tape is usually protected by a write ring, or some equivalent mechanical device, by which the operator can protect the tape from being erased or overwritten even though this is commanded by the host.

The term master tape was also used in connection with paper tape.

Near by Terms: MAC Machine Machine Address (absolute address; actual address) Machine Code Machine Equivalence Machine-Independent Machine Language Machine Simulation Macro (Macro-Processor) Macro-Generator Magnetic Bubble Memory Magnetic Card Magnetic Cell Magnetic Disk Magnetic Drum Magnetic Encoding Magnetic Media Magnetic Tape Magnetic Tape Cartridge (tape cartridge) Magnetic Tape Subsystem Magnetic Tape Unit (MTU) Magnetographic Printer Magneto-Optic Disk Storage Mailbox Mainframe Main Memory (main store; main storage) Main Program Maintenance Majority Element (majority gate) Malfunction Management Information System (MIS) Manchester Mark I Manual Control Map Map Method Mapping Mark Markov Chain Markov Source Mark Reading (mark scanning; optical mark reading) Mark Scanning Mark Sensing Masking Mass Storage Master File (primary file) Master Record Master-Slave Flip-Flop Master-Slave System Master Tape Matching Matrix Matrix Inversion Matrix Printer Maximum-Likelihood Decoding Maxterm (standard sum term)