Latin for Lawyers

MINISTER [L. minister / a subordinate, an assistant, a house servant; also a temple assistant, hence, a servant of the gods] A person who acts for another to perform an assignment or task. A church official. The representative of one nation to another. In many countries, the head of a department of government. Also, to give aid or help to, as to the sick. MINISTERIAL [L. minister ] An act which is clearly defined and limited in scope and which permits little deviation or discretion. A duty which is clearly circumscribed and involves little skill. Strict obedience to rules or instructions given in advance of perfor mance. MINOR [L. comparative form of parvus / little, small] Literally, smaller, less than. A person who is younger than the age which defines legal competence. In most states and for most purposes, this is the age of 18. MINORITY [L. minor ] The state of being younger than the age which establishes legal competence. Also, the smaller in number of two parts of a whole. Less than a majority. In politics, a group having insufficient votes to control the government by itself. A part of the population having at least one identifiable characteristic which sets it apart from the rest. A disadvantaged group. A minority stockholder is one who owns fewer than enough shares to control the management of a company, or the election of its directors. A minority opinion is an opinion which represents less than half of the votes cast by an appellate court and which states the reasons for disagreeing with the result and/or reasoning of the majority. MINOR JURARE NON POTEST [L. minor + iurare / to swear, take an oath + non / no + plus posse / to be able] Literally, a minor is not able to take an oath. MINUTE BOOK [L. minutus , from minuo, minuere / to make smaller] A book which contains a perpetual record of meetings conducted by a social, political or business organization. The official records of the proceedings, meetings and transactions of committees, boards of directors, stockholders, etc.

239