the ministerial benches

Ministerial \Min`is*te"ri*al\, a. [L. ministerialis: cf. F.
   minist['e]riel. See {Minister}, and cf. {Minstrel}.]
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   1. Of or pertaining to ministry or service; serving;
      attendant.
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            Enlightening spirits and ministerial flames.
                                                  --Prior.
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   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.
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   3. Tending to advance or promote; contributive. "Ministerial
      to intellectual culture." --De Quincey.
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   {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.
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   Syn: Official; priestly; sacerdotal; ecclesiastical.
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