ministry (n.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict[ministry 词源字典]
late 14c., "function of a priest," from Old French menistere "service, ministry; position, post, employment," and directly from Latin ministerium "office, service, attendance, ministry," from minister (see minister (n.)). Began to be used 1916 as name of certain departments in British government.[ministry etymology, ministry origin, 英语词源]