minister

Pronunciation: /ˈmɪn.əˌstɚ/

The English word “minister” has 8 meanings listed here.

noun

A person who is trained to preach, to perform religious ceremonies, and to afford pastoral care at a Protestant church.
A person (either a layperson or an ordained clergy member) who is commissioned to perform some act on behalf of the Catholic Church.
A politician who heads a ministry
In diplomacy, the rank of diplomat directly below ambassador.
A servant; a subordinate; an officer or assistant of inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument.

verb

To attend to (the needs of); to tend; to take care (of); to give aid; to give service.
To function as a clergyman or as the officiant in church worship.
To afford, to give, to supply.

Etymology

From Middle English ministre, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister (“an attendant, servant, assistant, a priest's assistant or other under official”), from minor (“less”) + -ter; see minor. Doublet of Minorite.

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