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Webster 1913 Edition

Administer

Ad-min′is-ter

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Administered
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Administering
.]
[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
.
Shakespeare
5.
(Law)
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

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

Ad-min′is-ter

,
Noun.
Administrator.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

Webster 1828 Edition

Administer

ADMIN'ISTER

,
Verb.
T.
[L. administro, of ad and ministro, to serve or manage. See Minister.]
1.
To act as minister or chief agent, in managing public affairs, under laws or a constitution of government, as a king, president, or other supreme officer. it is used also of absolute monarchs, who rule not in subordination; but is more strictly applicable to limited monarchs and other supreme executive officers, and to governors, vice-roys, judges and the like, who are under the authority of laws. A king or a president administers the government or laws, when he executes them or carries them into effect. A judge administers the laws, when he applies them to particular cases or persons. In short, to administer is to direct the execution or application of laws.
2.
To dispense, as to administer justice or the sacrament.
3.
To afford, give or furnish; as, to administer relief, that is, to act as the agent. To administer medicine is to direct and cause it to be taken.
4.
To give, as an oath; to cause to swear according to law.

ADMIN'ISTER

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To contribute; to bring aid or supplies; to add something; as, a shade administers to our comfort.
2.
To perform the office of administrator; as, A administers upon the estate of B.

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