ədˈminə̇stə(r) also ad- verb
( administered ; administered ; administering -st(ə)riŋ ; administers )
Etymology: Middle English aministren, administren, from Middle French aministrer, administrer, from Latin administrare to attend, manage from ad- + ministrare to serve — more at minister
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to manage the affairs of
a government that is badly administered can never be expected to last long — C.J.Friedrich
(2) : to direct or superintend the execution, use, or conduct of
administered the regulations governing interstate travel — W.M.Emery
in many Japanese homes the funds are administered by the wife — D.C.Buchanan
vocational interest tests are administered to all students
b. : to act in lieu of an executor in settling (an intestate estate)
2.
a. : to mete out : dispense
administer relief
she was able to administer a more piquant flattery — Ellen Glasgow
administer justice
disclaiming any intention to administer any official rebuke — W.A.Slade
administered a public thrashing to the landlord who had mistreated his brother — C.V.Woodward
b. : to give ritually
administer the last rites of the church
c. : to give remedially (as medicine)
the amount of the antitoxin administered is determined by the doctor — Morris Fishbein
3. : tender
the following questions were first administered by the Archbishop of Canterbury — Whitaker's Almanack
— often used with to
the formal oath of office was administered to him — Current Biography
intransitive verb
1. : to perform the office of administrator — sometimes used with upon
A administers upon the estate of B
2. : to give or furnish a real or assumed benefit : minister — used with to
administering to the last wants of his friend
3. : to manage or conduct affairs
the government administers when it appoints an officer — F.J.Goodnow