administer

verb

Etymology: From Middle English administren, from Old French aminister, from Latin administrare (“to manage, execute”), from ad (“to”) + ministrare (“to attend, serve”), from minister (“servant”); see minister.

1. To apportion out, distribute.

   “[Let zephyrs] administer their tepid, genial airs.”

   “Justice was administered between man and man with an exactness and purity not before known.”

2. To manage or supervise the conduct, performance or execution of; to govern or regulate the parameters for the conduct, performance or execution of; to work in an administrative capacity.

   “For forms of government let fools contest: / Whate'er is best administered is best.”

   “Located in the northwestern side of the Black Sea, Snake Island, or called ostriv Zmiyinyy in Ukrainian and Insula Serpilor in Romanian, is currently administered by Ukraine but claimed by Romania.”

3. To minister (to).

   “administering to the sick”

   “A fountain […] administers to the pleasure as well as the plenty of the place.”

4. To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.
5. To give, as an oath.

   “Swear […] to keep the oath that we administer.”

6. To give (a drug, to a patient), be it orally or by any other means.

   “We administered the medicine to our dog by mixing it in his food.”

7. To cause (a patient, human or animal) to ingest (a drug), either by openly offering or through deceit.

   “A noxious drug had been administered to him.”