Third person singular present tense of administer; gives, provides, or applies something (medicine, rules, aid, etc.) to someone.
From ad- + minister (to serve), from Latin ministrare. The -s ending marks third person singular present tense. The meaning evolved from 'to serve' to 'to manage' to 'to provide or apply systematically.'
The word 'administer' has a quiet dignity to it—notice how we say 'administer medicine' not 'give medicine,' or 'administer an oath' not 'say an oath'—that formal verb choice makes the action sound official and serious.
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