1. A person acting under another’s authority; an agent.
2. A prominent government officer appointed to manage an executive or administrative department.
3. A diplomatic representative, esp. one ranking below an ambassador. [Cases: Ambassadors and Consuls 1–5. C.J.S. Ambassadors and Consuls §§ 2–13, 15–30.]
foreign minister.
1. A minister of foreign affairs, who in many countries is equivalent to the U.S. Secretary of State.
2. An ambassador, minister, or envoy from a foreign government. [Cases: Ambassadors and Consuls 1–5. C.J.S. Ambassadors and Consuls §§ 2–13, 15–30.]
minister plenipotentiary (plen-[schwa]-p[schwa]-ten-shee-er-ee). A minister ranking below an ambassador but possessing full power and authority as a governmental representative, esp. as an envoy of a sovereign ruler. • This officer is often regarded as the personal representative of a head of state.
public minister. A high diplomatic representative such as an ambassador, envoy, or resident, but not including a commercial representative such as a consul. [Cases: Ambassadors and Consuls
4. C.J.S. Ambassadors and Consuls §§ 24–25.]
4. A person authorized by a Christian church to perform religious functions. [Cases: Religious Societies 27. C.J.S. Religious Societies § 43.]
