Now rare. [ad. L. subministrare (var. summ-): see SUB- 8 and MINISTER v. Cf. F. subministrer.]
1. trans. To supply or furnish (sometimes in a secret manner).
1601. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw. (1603), 262. Hauing subministred continuall supplies both of men and money, to their neighbors in flanders.
1669. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, I. III. iv. 56. A soil very fruitful, which subministered these fruits, of its own accord.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., II. iv. 154. Even the inferior Animals have subministred unto Man the invention … of many things both Natural and Artificial and Medicinal.
1792. Sibly, Occult Sci., I. 56. As nothing can be produced, unless matter be subministered.
1857. Truths Cath. Relig. (ed. 4), II. 109. The blessed Virgin, subministering to him her flesh in the accomplishment … of the incarnation.
† 2. intr. To minister to (lit. and fig.). Obs.
1611. Cotgr., Soubministrer, to subminister vnto.
a. 1679. Hobbes, Rhet., II. xviii. 76. They have wherewithal to subminister to their Lust.
1692. L’Estrange, Fables, xxxviii. 38. Our Passions … are Good Servants, but Bad Masters, and Subminister to the Best, and Worst of Purposes, at once.
Hence Subministering ppl. a.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., IV. iv. 327. The … accommodation of Faculties with subministring Faculties, and Organs subservient.
