n. pl. min·is·tries 1. a. The act of serving; ministration. b. One that serves as a means; an instrumentality. 2. a. The profession, duties, and services of a minister. b. The Christian clergy. c. The period of service of a minister. 3. a. A governmental department presided over by a minister. b. The building in which such a department is housed. c. The duties, functions, or term of a governmental minister. d. often Ministry Governmental ministers considered as a group. [Middle English ministerie, from Old French ministere, from Latin ministerium, from minister, servant; see mei-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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