Min`is*te"ri*al (?), a. [L.
ministerialis: cf. F. ministériel. See
Minister, and cf. Minstrel.]
1. Of or pertaining to ministry or service;
serving; attendant.
Enlightening spirits and ministerial
flames.
Prior.
2. Of or pertaining to the office of a
minister or to the ministry as a body, whether civil or
sacerdotal. "Ministerial offices." Bacon. "A
ministerial measure." Junius. "Ministerial
garments." Hooker.
3. Tending to advance or promote;
contributive. "Ministerial to intellectual culture."
De Quincey.
The ministerial benches, the benches in the
House of Commons occupied by members of the cabinet and their
supporters; -- also, the persons occupying them. "Very solid and
very brilliant talents distinguish the ministerial benches."
Burke.
Syn. -- Official; priestly; sacerdotal; ecclesiastical.
