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, adjectiveWords nearby minister
Example sentences from the Web for minister
British Dictionary definitions for minister
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, nounWord Origin for minister
C13: via Old French from Latin: servant; related to
minus less
Cultural definitions for minister (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 minister (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.