minister

¹min·is·ter

noun \ˈmi-nə-stər\

Definition of MINISTER

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

Examples of MINISTER

1. <the British ministers at the international peace conference>
2. <our minister gives an interesting sermon every week>

Origin of MINISTER

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MINISTER

Synonyms

agent, delegate, emissary, envoy, legate, ambassador, representative

Antonyms

layman, layperson, secular

Related Words

ambassadress; attaché, chargé d'affaires, consul, deputy, diplomat, foreign minister, nuncio, procurator, proxy; apostle, evangelist, missionary; deputation, detachment, legation; courier, messenger; mouthpiece, spokesperson

Near Antonyms

lay reader, lector

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

²minister

intransitive verb

ministeredminister·ing \-st(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of MINISTER

1

: to function as a minister of religion

2

: to give aid or service <minister to the sick>

First Known Use of MINISTER

14th century

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary