Min`is*te"ri*al (?), a. [L. ministerialis: cf. F. minist'eriel. 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.
© Webster 1913.