\Min`is*te"ri*al\, a. [L. ministerialis: cf. F.
minist['e]riel. See {Minister}, and cf. {Minstrel}.]
1. Of or pertaining to ministry or service; serving;
   attendant.
         Enlightening spirits and ministerial flames.
                                               --Prior.
2. Of or pertaining to the office of a minister or to the
   ministry as a body, whether civil or sacerdotal.
   ``Ministerial offices.'' --Bacon. ``A ministerial
   measure.'' --Junius. ``Ministerial garments.'' --Hooker.
3. Tending to advance or promote; contributive. ``Ministerial
   to intellectual culture.'' --De Quincey.
{The ministerial benches}, the benches in the House of
   Commons occupied by members of the cabinet and their
   supporters; -- also, the persons occupying them. ``Very
   solid and very brilliant talents distinguish the
   ministerial benches.'' --Burke.
Syn: Official; priestly; sacerdotal; ecclesiastical.