min|is|try

min|is|try «MIHN uh stree», noun, plural -tries.

1. the office, duties, or time of service of a minister: »

The clergyman's ministry covered a period of fifty years.

2. the ministers of a church; clergy: »

Many of the ministry of the Roman Catholic Church met in Rome.

SYNONYM(S): ecclesiastics.

3. the ministers of a government, especially of the British or a European government. Ministers of a government are often equivalent to cabinet members in the United States.

4. in Great Britain and in Europe: a) a government department undeminister. b) the offices of such a department.

5. the act of ministering or serving: »

My idea of heaven is the perpetual ministry of one soul to another (Tennyson).

SYNONYM(S): ministration.

6. agency; instrumentality.

╂[< Latin ministerium office, service < minister; see etym. under minister (Cf. ↑minister)]