minnesingers

pl. [Ger., from Old Ger, minne love, remembrance, and singer =a singer.] *2. Instrumentality, means, mediumship, agency. The German name for poets of the troubadour "To all but thee in fits he seemed to go, And 'twas my ministry to deal the blow." *3. Administration, rule. Parnell: The Hermit. "If the mynystracioun of dampnacioun was in glorie, mych more the mynysterie of rightuysne e is plenteous in glorie." - Wycliffe : 2 Corinth , iii. 4. Service in sacred things; ecclesiastical func tions; the office, duties, or functions of a minister of the Gospel. "Every one that came to do the service of the ministry , and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation."- Numbers iv. 47. 5. The officers of state who compose the executive government; the ministers of state collectively. "The first English ministry was gradually formed; nor is it po ible to say quite precisely when it began to exist. But, on the whole, the date from which the era of minis tries may most properly be reckoned is the day of the meeting of the Parliament after the general election of 1695." - Macaulay : Hist . Eng . , ch. xxiv. 6. The period during which the First Minister of the Crown holds office; as, The Act was pa ed during the Ministry of Pitt. *7. Busine , employment, profe ion, occupation. ministry-ship, subst. The office of a minister; ministry.