Word history

Monier-Williams (1899) records mantrin with the sense “minister, counsellor”. Mantrin is the Sanskrit title for a minister or counsellor. The form is part of the vocabulary of counsel and advice, rather than naming a particular government office in present-day India. मंत्री preserves the later final vowel. A surname can retain the title word without documenting an appointment held by any individual.

Sources: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899) · headword mantrin, page 786, column 3, entry L157478

Literal dictionary sense

mantrin: Minister, counsellor.

Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899) · headword mantrin, page 786, column 3, entry L157478

Native-script forms

मंत्री · Devanagari

Sources and attribution

Dictionary senses and word histories are selected and adapted. Adapted lexical text is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Linked Wiktionary entries provide contributor histories. Source register.