Etymology Map
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Minister

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a head of a government department; a member of the clergy

Where does the word "minister" come from? It comes from Latin minister, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
minister
Latin · ancient
"servant"
from 'minus', less; the opposite of 'magister', master
2
Stage 2 of 3
ministre
Old French · medieval
"servant; officer"
used for someone who serves God or the state
3
Stage 3 of 3
minister
English · 1300s
"servant of the church"
government 'ministers' date from the 1600s
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Read the full story

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.