1
- a head of a government department部长; 大臣：
the Defence Minister.
国防部长。
1.1
- a diplomatic agent, usually ranking below an ambassador, representing a state or sovereign in a foreign country公使; 外交使节。
2
- （亦作minister of religion）a member of the clergy, especially in the Presbyterian and Nonconformist Churches（尤指长老会和不信奉英国国教教会的）牧师。
2.1
- （亦作minister general）the superior of some religious orders教长。
3
- archaic a person or thing used to achieve or convey something〈古〉执行者（或物）; 传达者（或物）：
the Angels are ministers of the Divine Will.
天使是神的意志的执行者。
no obj.
1
minister to
attend to the needs of (someone)照料; 伺候：her doctor was busy ministering to the injured.
她的医生正忙于照料伤员。
1.1
- with obj. archaic provide (something necessary or helpful)〈古〉提供, 供给（必需或有益之物）：
the story was able to minister true consolation.
这故事能够给人真正的安慰。
2
- act as a minister of religion执行牧师职务。
2.1
- with obj. administer (a sacrament)执行（或主持）（圣餐式）。
派生词
ministership
noun词源
Middle English (in senses 2 and 3)： from Old French ministre (noun), ministrer (verb), from Latin minister 'servant'， from minus 'less'.