Ad′/min-is-trā′/tor, n.

noun

n. [Lat.] 1. One who administers, or who directs, manages, distributes, or dispenses laws and rites, either in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs.

  1. (Law.) A man who manages or settles the estate of an intestate, or of a testator when there is no competent executor; one to whom the right of administration has been committed by competent authority.
  2. (Scots Law.) A tutor, curator, or guardian, having the care of one who is incapable of acting for himself.

The term, in this sense, is usually applied to a father who has power over his children and their estate, during their minority. Encyc. Brit.