min·is·ter
(mĭńĭ-stər)
[Middle English, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister, servant.]
noun
- One who is authorized to perform religious functions in a Christian church, especially a Protestant church.
- 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: -tered, -ter·ing, -ters.
intransitive verb
- 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.
transitive verb
- To administer or dispense (a sacrament, for example).
