Ministry

n. [Lat. ministerium, Fr. ministère, Pr. ministeri, Sp. & Pg. ministerio, It. ministerio, ministero. See MINISTER, n.] 1. The act of ministering; ministration; agency; service; instrumentality. He directs the affairs of this world by the ordinary ministry of second causes. Atterbury. 2. The office, duties, or functions of a minister, or subordinate agent; ecclesiastical, executive, or ambassadorial function or profession. He abhorred the wicked ministry of arms. Dryden.

3. The body of ministers; the clergy; the persons who compose the executive government or the council of a supreme magistrate; the body of ministers of state.
4. Business; employment.