ministerial
/ˌmɪnəˈstɪɹi.əl/
ministerial means related to a religious minister or ministry.
ministerial is pronounced /ˌmɪnəˈstɪɹi.əl/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French ministeriel, equivalent to minister + -ial. Doublet of minstrel and ministerialis.
adj
- Related to a religious minister or ministry.
- Related to a governmental minister or ministry.“In over a quarter of a century of writing this column, there has been no end of scandals, mishaps, errors and general cock-ups resulting from ministerial incompetence.”
- Having the power to wield delegated executive authority.
- Serving as an instrument or means (i.e., procedural or ancillary, not substantive).“Filling out the form under the direction of a lawyer is a ministerial task performed by a legal secretary.”
noun
- A member of the mediaeval estate or caste of unfree nobles.“By the time of the Nibelungenlied the word was used to denote a wide variety of usually ecclesiastic or royal administrators, from the lowest, unfree ministerial to an enfeoffed judge.”
- A meeting of government ministers from partner countries.“The NATO ministerial was attended by the defence ministers of all member states.”