MINISTER

In public law. One of the highest functionaries in the· organization of civil government, standing next to the sovereign or executive hea,d, acting as his Immediate auxiliary, and being generally charged wlth the administration of one of the great bureaus ·or departments of the•· executive branch of govern me I\t. Otherwise called a "cabinet minister,'' "secretary of state,'' or "secretary of a department." In intenlational law, Ail officer appointed by the government of one nation as a mediator or arbitrator between two other nations· who are engaged 1n a· con trovers7; [s. 786]