minister

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noun min·is·ter \ˈmi-nə-stər\

Definition of minister

1 : agent the angels are ministers of the divine will — H. P. Liddon
2a : one officiating or assisting the officiant in church worshipb : a clergyman or clergywoman especially of a Protestant communion
3a : the superior (see ²superior 1) of one of several religious orders —called also minister-generalb : 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 the British Minister of Defence
5a : a diplomatic representative (such as an ambassador) accredited to the court (see ¹court 1c) or seat of government of a foreign stateb : a diplomatic representative ranking below an ambassador

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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verb min·is·ter

;

\-st(ə-)riŋ\

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

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noun

: a person whose job involves leading church services, performing religious ceremonies (such as marriages), and providing spiritual or religious guidance to other people : a member of the clergy in some Protestant churches
: an official who heads a government department or a major section of a department in some countries (such as Britain)
: a person who represents his or her own government while living in a foreign country

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noun min·is·ter \ˈmi-nə-stər\

1 : a person who performs religious ceremonies especially in Protestant church services
2 : a government official at the head of a section of government activities minister of education
3 : a person who represents his or her government in a foreign country