noun

1. a person acting for another as agent and carrying out given orders or designs; specif.,
   1. a person appointed by the head of a government to take charge of some department
   2. a diplomatic officer sent to a foreign nation to represent his or her government, usually ranking below an ambassador
2. 1. anyone authorized to carry out or assist in the spiritual functions of a church
   2. an ordained member of a Protestant church; esp., a pastor
3. the superior of certain Roman Catholic religious orders
4. a person or thing thought of as serving as the agent of some power, force, etc. a minister of evil

Etymology: OFr ministre < L minister, an attendant, servant, in LL(Ec), Christian preacher < base of L minor, minor: formed prob. after magister, master

transitive verb

1. to supply; provide
2. to administer

Etymology: ME ministren < OFr ministrer < L ministrare

intransitive verb

1. to serve as a minister in a church
2. to give help (to)