MINISTER


Meaning of MINISTER in English

I. ˈmi-nə-stər noun

Etymology: Middle English ministre, from Anglo-French, from Latin minister servant; akin to Latin minor smaller

Date: 14th century

1. : agent

2.

a. : one officiating or assisting the officiant in church worship

b. : a clergyman especially of a Protestant communion

3.

a. : the superior of one of several religious orders — called also minister-general

b. : the assistant to the rector or the bursar of a Jesuit house

4. : a high officer of state entrusted with the management of a division of governmental activities

5.

a. : a diplomatic representative (as an ambassador) accredited to the court or seat of government of a foreign state

b. : a diplomatic representative ranking below an ambassador

II. intransitive verb

( -tered ; min·is·ter·ing -st(ə-)riŋ)

Date: 14th century

1. : to function as a minister of religion

2. : to give aid or service

minister to the sick

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.