minister

[ min-uh-ster ]
/ ˈmɪn ə stər /

noun

verb (used with object)

to administer or apply: to minister the last rites.
Archaic. to furnish; supply.

verb (used without object)

Origin of minister

1250–1300; (noun) Middle English ministre, minister (< Old French ministre) < Latin minister servant, equivalent to minis- (variant of minus a lesser amount; akin to minor minor) + -ter noun suffix; replacing Middle English menistre < Old French < Latin, as above; (v.) Middle English ministren < Old French ministrer < Latin ministrāre to act as a servant, attend, derivative of minister

OTHER WORDS FROM minister

pre·min·is·ter, verb (used without object) sub·min·is·ter, noun un·der·min·is·ter, noun un·min·is·tered, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH minister

clergy cleric imam minister pastor priest rabbi

Example sentences from the Web for ministering

British Dictionary definitions for ministering

minister
/ (ˈmɪnɪstə) /

noun

verb

(intr often foll by to) to attend to the needs (of); take care (of)
(tr) archaic to provide; supply

Derived forms of minister

ministership, noun

Word Origin for minister

C13: via Old French from Latin: servant; related to minus less

Cultural definitions for ministering (1 of 2)

minister

In many Protestant churches, the presiding clergyman. Ministers preach sermons; conduct services; officiate at baptisms, weddings, and funerals; and generally look after the needs of their congregation. Some Protestant churches refer to their clergy as pastors or preachers rather than ministers.

Cultural definitions for ministering (2 of 2)

minister

A title used in many countries for members of cabinets and similar public officials, who are roughly equivalent to the officials in the United States cabinet. For example, a minister of foreign affairs will have duties similar to those of the secretary of state of the United States.