Administration
/ədˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən/noun
The management and organization of affairs, institutions, or public functions.
Did you know?Latin minister meant “servant” or “attendant,” while its comparative form, minister, literally suggested someone of lower rank or smaller status.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mei-
“To be small or diminish; a commonly reconstructed root behind Latin terms of reduction and lesser status.”
Classical Latin
Latin
minus
“Less or smaller.”
Classical Latin
Latin
minister
“Servant, attendant, or subordinate; literally connected with the idea of being lesser.”
Classical Latin
Latin
administrare
“To attend to, manage, or serve in relation to something; formed with ad-, “to,” plus ministrare, “to serve.””
Late Latin
Latin
administratio
“Management, direction, or the act of administering.”
14th Century
Middle English
administracioun
“The management or governance of affairs.”
Modern English
English
administration
“The organized management of affairs, institutions, or public functions.”