Ministry
/ˈmɪn.ɪ.stri/noun
The work, office, or department of a minister or ministers.
Did you know?Its deepest root is Latin *minus* (“less”), so the word family behind *ministry* originally pointed to someone of lower status or lesser rank.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mei-
“to lessen, diminish”
Latin
Latin
minus
“less, smaller”
Latin
Latin
minister
“servant, attendant; later an official or agent”
Old French
Old French
ministerium
“service, office, function”
Middle English
English
ministre
“service, ecclesiastical office”
Modern English
English
ministry
“the office, duties, or department of a minister”