[ˈmɪnɪstə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- (in certain countries) a head of a government department
(e.g: the Defence Minister)

- a member of the clergy, especially in the Presbyterian and Nonconformist Churches
(e.g: a minister of the Lutheran church)

- a diplomatic agent, usually ranking below an ambassador, representing a state or sovereign in a foreign country

- a person or thing used to achieve or convey something
(e.g: the Angels are ministers of the Divine Will)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English (in minister); also in the sense ‘a person acting under the authority of another’): from Old French ministre (noun), ministrer (verb), from Latin minister ‘servant’, from minus ‘less’

[ˈmɪnɪstə], (Verb)

Definitions:
- attend to the needs of (someone)
(e.g: her doctor was busy ministering to the injured)

- act as a minister of religion
(e.g: will these women be permitted to minister as priests?)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English (in minister); also in the sense ‘a person acting under the authority of another’): from Old French ministre (noun), ministrer (verb), from Latin minister ‘servant’, from minus ‘less’