Religiona person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor.
Religiona person authorized to administer sacraments, as at Mass.
Governmenta person appointed by or under the authority of a sovereign or head of a government to some high office of state, esp. to that of head of an administrative department:the minister of finance.
Governmenta diplomatic representative accredited by one government to another and ranking next below an ambassador. Cf. envoy1 (def. 1).
a person acting as the agent or instrument of another.
v.t.
to administer or apply:to minister the last rites.
[Archaic.]to furnish; supply.
v.i.
Religionto perform the functions of a religious minister.
to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities.:to minister to the needs of the hungry.
to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.
Latin ministrāre to act as a servant, attend, derivative of minister
Old French ministrer
Latin, as above; (verb, verbal) Middle English ministren
Old French
Latin minister servant, equivalent. to minis- (variant of minus a lesser amount; akin to minorminor) + -ter noun, nominal suffix; replacing Middle English menistre
Old French ministre)
(noun, nominal) Middle English ministre, minister (1250–1300
9.See corresponding entry in Unabridged answer, tend, oblige.