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Where does the word "minister" come from? It comes from Latin minister, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "minister" come from? It comes from Latin minister, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Minister’s story begins in Latin: minister meant “servant.” From 'minus', less; the opposite of 'magister', master. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ministre. Used for someone who serves God or the state. It reached English by 1300s as minister. Government 'ministers' date from the 1600s. Today, minister means a head of a government department; a member of the clergy.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient minister "servant", from 'minus', less; the opposite of 'magister', master.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ministre "servant; officer", used for someone who serves God or the state.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s minister "servant of the church", government 'ministers' date from the 1600s.