ADMINISTER

administer, dispense

(verb) give or apply (medications)

distribute, administer, mete out, deal, parcel out, lot, dispense, shell out, deal out, dish out, allot, dole out

(verb) administer or bestow, as in small portions; “administer critical remarks to everyone present”; “dole out some money”; “shell out pocket money for the children”; “deal a blow to someone”; “the machine dispenses soft drinks”

administer

(verb) perform (a church sacrament) ritually; “administer the last unction”

administer, administrate

(verb) work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of; “administer a program”; “she administers the funds”

administer

(verb) direct the taking of; “administer an exam”; “administer an oath”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

administer (third-person singular simple present administers, present participle administering, simple past and past participle administered)

(transitive) To cause to ingest (a drug), either by openly offering or through deceit.

(transitive) To apportion out, distribute.

(transitive) To manage or supervise the conduct, performance or execution of; to govern or regulate the parameters for the conduct, performance or execution of; to work in an administrative capacity.

(intransitive) To minister (to).

(legal) To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.

To give, as an oath.

(medicine) To give a drug to a patient, be it orally or by any other means.

Anagrams

• administre, mistrained, nitramides

Source: Wiktionary


Ad*min"is*ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Administered; p. pr. & vb. n. Administering.] Etym: [OE. aministren, OF. aministrer, F. administer, fr. L. administrare; ad + ministrare to serve. See Minister.]

1. To manage or conduct, as public affairs; to direct or superintend the execution, application, or conduct of; as, to administer the government or the state. For forms of government let fools contest: Whate'er is best administered is best. Pope.

2. To dispense; to serve out; to supply; execute; as, to administer relief, to administer the sacrament. [Let zephyrs] administer their tepid, genial airs. Philips. Justice was administered with an exactness and purity not before known. Macaulay.

3. To apply, as medicine or a remedy; to give, as a dose or something beneficial or suitable. Extended to a blow, a reproof, etc. A noxious drug had been administered to him. Macaulay.

4. To tender, as an oath. Swear . . . to keep the oath that we administer. Shak.

5. (Law)

Definition: To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.

Syn.

– To manage; conduct; minister; supply; dispense; give out; distribute; furnish.

Ad*min"is*ter, v. i.

1. To contribute; to bring aid or supplies; to conduce; to minister. A fountain . . . administers to the pleasure as well as the plenty of the place. Spectator.

2. (Law)

Definition: To perform the office of administrator; to act officially; as, A administers upon the estate of B.

Ad*min"is*ter, n.

Definition: Administrator. [Obs.] Bacon.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

3 May 2025

DESIRABLE

(adjective) worth having or seeking or achieving; “a desirable job”; “computer with many desirable features”; “a desirable outcome”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.

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