Mentri
/ˈməntri/ /ˈmɛntri/noun
In Malaysia and Indonesia: a minister of state.
- The word was sometimes used in its Sanskrit form. In the 19th cent. it was applied specifically to a Perak territorial chief..
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Frank Swettenham (1850–1946), colonial administrator. From Malay menteri official, senior civil servant, functionary from Sanskrit mantrī.