2. Hence: Agency; instrumentality.
The ordinary ministry of second causes.
Atterbury.
The wicked ministry of arms.
Dryden. 3. The office, duties, or functions of a minister, servant, or agent; ecclesiastical, executive, or ambassadorial
function or profession.
4. The body of ministers of state; also, the clergy, as a body.
5. Administration; rule; term in power; as, the ministry of Pitt.
Ministryship
(Min"is*try*ship), n. The office of a minister. Swift.
Minium
(Min"i*um) n. [L. minium, an Iberian word, the Romans getting all their cinnabar from Spain; cf.
Basque armineá.] (Chem.) A heavy, brilliant red pigment, consisting of an oxide of lead, Pb3O4, obtained
by exposing lead or massicot to a gentle and continued heat in the air. It is used as a cement, as a
paint, and in the manufacture of flint glass. Called also red lead.
Miniver
(Min"i*ver) n. [See Meniver.] A fur esteemed in the Middle Ages as a part of costume. It is
uncertain whether it was the fur of one animal only or of different animals.
Minivet
(Min"i*vet) n. (Zoöl.) A singing bird of India of the family Campephagidæ.
Mink
(Mink) n. [Cf. 2d Minx.] (Zoöl.) A carnivorous mammal of the genus Putorius, allied to the weasel.
The European mink is Putorius lutreola. The common American mink (P. vison) varies from yellowish
brown to black. Its fur is highly valued. Called also minx, nurik, and vison.
