U

administer

verb (used with object)

to manage (affairs, a government, etc.); have executive charge of: to administer the law.
to bring into use or operation: to administer justice; to administer last rites.
to make application of; give: to administer medicine.
to supervise the formal taking of (an oath or the like).
Law. to manage or dispose of, as a decedent’s estate by an executor or administrator or a trust estate by a trustee.

verb (used without object)

to contribute assistance; bring aid or supplies (usually followed by to): to administer to the poor.
to perform the duties of an administrator: She administers quite effectively.

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to direct or control (the affairs of a business, government, etc)
to put into execution; dispenseadminister justice
(when intr, foll by to) to give or apply (medicine, assistance, etc) as a remedy or relief
to apply formally; performto administer extreme unction
to supervise or impose the taking of (an oath, etc)
to manage or distribute (an estate, property, etc)

late 14c., administren, aministren “to manage as a steward,” from Old French amenistrer “help, aid, be of service to” (12c., Modern French administrer, the -d- restored 16c.), and directly from Latin administrare “manage, control, guide, superintend; rule direct,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + ministrare “serve” (see minister (v.)). Used of medicine, etc., “to give,” from 1540s. Related: Administered; administering.