administer
[ad-min-uh-ster]
- to manage (affairs, a government, etc.); have executive charge of: to administer the law.
- to bring into use or operation: to administer justice; to administer last rites.
- to make application of; give: to administer medicine.
- to supervise the formal taking of (an oath or the like).
- Law. to manage or dispose of, as a decedent's estate by an executor or administrator or a trust estate by a trustee.
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- to contribute assistance; bring aid or supplies (usually followed by to): to administer to the poor.
- to perform the duties of an administrator: She administers quite effectively.
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Origin of administer
Synonyms
See more synonyms for administer on Thesaurus.com1. conduct, control, execute; direct, superintend, supervise, oversee. 2. distribute, supply, furnish.
Synonym study
1. See rule.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for administer
Contemporary Examples
The Liberian AIDS commission is now going door-to-door to administer antiretroviral medications to known patients.
“We hired Eisenhower to run the Cold War, not administer shots,” says Pitney.
Dr. Barry Rosenfeld, a psychologist who directs clinical training at Fordham University, did not just administer tests.
When Jerry Lee was taken home and his car was towed from the ditch, the deputies forgot to administer a test for intoxication.
We must be careful not to administer a vaccine against faith to them.
Historical Examples
They administer stinging rebukes that leave the adversary writhing.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
Her first duty was clearly to administer to his comfort, and that was precisely what she would do.
DustMr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
“What we want is to administer a tonic to the Conference in Milan,” he said airily.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
There was no one else to administer judgment, and Mrs. Wilson felt the necessity.
Meadow GrassAlice Brown
The Barnacle family had for some time helped to administer the Circumlocution Office.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
administer
- (also intr) to direct or control (the affairs of a business, government, etc)
- to put into execution; dispenseadminister justice
- (when intr, foll by to) to give or apply (medicine, assistance, etc) as a remedy or relief
- to apply formally; performto administer extreme unction
- to supervise or impose the taking of (an oath, etc)
- to manage or distribute (an estate, property, etc)
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Word Origin
C14: amynistre, via Old French from Latin administrare, from ad- to + ministrāre to minister
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for administer
v.
late 14c., administren, aministren "to manage as a steward," from Old French amenistrer "help, aid, be of service to" (12c., Modern French administrer, the -d- restored 16c.), and directly from Latin administrare "manage, control, guide, superintend; rule direct," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + ministrare "serve" (see minister (v.)). Used of medicine, etc., "to give," from 1540s. Related: Administered; administering.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper