Minister

Minister Min"is*ter, n. [OE. ministre, F. ministre, fr. L. minister, orig. a double comparative from the root of minor less, and hence meaning, an inferior, a servant. See 1st {Minor}, and cf. {Master}, {Minstrel}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A servant; a subordinate; an officer or assistant of inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument. [1913 Webster]

Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua. --Ex. xxiv. 13. [1913 Webster]

I chose Camillo for the minister, to poison My friend Polixenes. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. An officer of justice. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

I cry out the on the ministres, quod he, That shoulde keep and rule this cit['e]. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

3. One to whom the sovereign or executive head of a government intrusts the management of affairs of state, or some department of such affairs. [1913 Webster]

Ministers to kings, whose eyes, ears, and hands they are, must be answerable to God and man. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

4. A representative of a government, sent to the court, or seat of government, of a foreign nation to transact diplomatic business. [1913 Webster]

Note: Ambassadors are classed (in the diplomatic sense) in the first rank of public ministers, ministers plenipotentiary in the second. ``The United States diplomatic service employs two classes of ministers, -- ministers plenipotentiary and ministers resident.'' --Abbott. [1913 Webster]

5. One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Delegate; official; ambassador; clergyman; parson; priest. [1913 Webster]