51Թ

View synonyms for

minister

[ min-uh-ster ]

noun

  1. a person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor.
  2. a person authorized to administer sacraments, as at Mass.
  3. a person appointed by or under the authority of a sovereign or head of a government to some high office of state, especially to that of head of an administrative department:

    the minister of finance.

  4. a diplomatic representative accredited by one government to another and ranking next below an ambassador. Compare envoy 1( def 1 ).
  5. a person acting as the agent or instrument of another.


verb (used with object)

  1. to administer or apply:

    to minister the last rites.

  2. Archaic. to furnish; supply.

verb (used without object)

  1. to perform the functions of a religious minister.
  2. to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities.:

    to minister to the needs of the hungry.

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.

minister

/ ˈɪɪə /

noun

  1. (esp in Presbyterian and some Nonconformist Churches) a member of the clergy
  2. a person appointed to head a government department
  3. any diplomatic agent accredited to a foreign government or head of state
  4. short for minister plenipotentiary or envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary See envoy 1
  5. Also called (in full)minister resident a diplomat ranking after an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
  6. a person who attends to the needs of others, esp in religious matters
  7. a person who acts as the agent or servant of a person or thing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. introften foll byto to attend to the needs (of); take care (of)
  2. archaic.
    tr to provide; supply
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

minister

1
  1. 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.

minister

2
  1. 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.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈԾٱˌ󾱱, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ·i·ٱ verb (used without object)
  • ܲ·i·ٱ noun
  • ܲd·i·ٱ noun
  • ܲ·i·ٱ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of minister1

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the noun) Middle English minister, ministre, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister “servant,” from minus “less” (adverb form of minor minor ) + -ter, noun suffix; (for the verb) Middle English ministren, from Old French ministrer, from Latin Ծٰ “to act as a servant, attend,” derivative of minister; master ( def )
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of minister1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

But Labour ministers insist the drive to net zero will not involve any financial sacrifices and have minimal impact on people's lives.

From

Pakistan's information minister says that the country has "credible intelligence" that India intends to launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours.

From

A former minister of Aboriginal Affairs when a Queensland state MP in the 1980s, Mr Katter says he thinks about the struggles of many Indigenous Australians "every night before I go to bed".

From

In evidence to the inquiry, a government minister said there were no plans to make cash acceptance mandatory.

From

Conservation groups are urging ministers to reject plans for an offshore wind farm which the developer predicts will kill tens of thousands of seabirds.

From

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