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minister

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The definition of a minister is a person chosen to carry out given orders or church functions.

(noun)

An example of a minister is someone appointed by a government to lead a governmental department.
An example of a minister is the person authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in a church.

Minister is defined as to provide or give help.

(verb)

An example of to minister is a therapist giving advice to a client.

See minister in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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
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
the superior of certain Roman Catholic religious orders
a person or thing thought of as serving as the agent of some power, force, etc.: a minister of evil

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

transitive verb

to supply; provide
to administer

Origin: ME ministren < OFr ministrer < L ministrare

intransitive verb

to serve as a minister in a church
to give help (to)

See minister in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Abbr. Min.

a. One who is authorized to perform religious functions in a Christian church, especially a Protestant church.
b. Roman Catholic Church The superior in certain orders.
A high officer of state appointed to head an executive or administrative department of government.
An authorized diplomatic representative of a government, usually ranking next below an ambassador.
A person serving as an agent for another by carrying out specified orders or functions.

verb min·is·tered, min·is·ter·ing, min·is·ters

verb, intransitive

To attend to the wants and needs of others: Volunteers ministered to the homeless after the flood. See Synonyms at tend².
To perform the functions of a cleric.

verb, transitive

To administer or dispense (a sacrament, for example).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French ministre

Origin: , from Latin minister, servant; see mei-² in Indo-European roots

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