I cry out the on the ministres, quod he, That shoulde keep and rule
this cité.
Chaucer.
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.
Ministers to kings, whose eyes, ears, and hands they are, must be
answerable to God and man.
Bacon.
4. A representative of a government, sent to the court, or seat of
government, of a foreign nation to transact diplomatic business.
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.
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.
Syn. -- Delegate; official; ambassador; clergyman; parson; priest.
Min"is*ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ministered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Ministering.] [OE. ministren, OF. ministrer, fr. L. ministrare. See
Minister, n.] To furnish or apply; to afford; to supply; to administer.
He that ministereth seed to the sower.