Ad*min`is*tra"tion (?; 277), n. [OE. administracioun, L. administratio: cf. F. administration.]
1.
The act of administering; government
of public affairs; the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting affairs; the conducting
of any office or employment; direction;
management.
His financial administration was of a piece with his military administration.
Macaulay.
2. The executive part of government; the persons collectively who are intrusted with the execution of laws and the
superintendence of public affairs; the chief magistrate and his cabinet or council; or the council, or ministry, alone, as in Great Britain.
A mild and popular administration.
Macaulay.
The
administration has been opposed in parliament.
Johnson.
3. The act of
administering, or tendering something to another; dispensation;
as, the administration of a medicine, of an oath, of justice, or of the sacrament.
4. (Law) (a) The management and disposal, under legal authority, of the estate
of an intestate, or of a testator
having no competent executor.
(b) The management of an estate of
a deceased person by an
executor, the strictly corresponding term execution not being in use.
Administration with the will annexed, administration granted where the testator has appointed no executor, or where his
appointment of an executor for any cause
has failed, as by death, incompetency, refusal to act, etc.
Syn. --
Conduct; management;
direction; regulation; execution;
dispensation; distribution.
Hear it pronounced