Definition of the word secretariat

The word "secretariat" derives its origin from the French word "secrétariat," which in turn originates from the Latin word "secretarius," meaning "secretary." During the medieval period, the word "secrétariat" was used to refer to the administrative department of a bishop or church official responsible for keeping records and managing correspondence. The usage of the term "secrétariat" expanded to other governmental bodies, such as the French chambers of parliament in the 1500s. Later, the term came to represent the administrative office of any organization, including businesses and international bodies such as the United Nations, where it refers to the department responsible for managing administrative and organizational tasks. In short, the term "secretariat" evolved from its root in Latin, through its usage in the context of church administration, to its current use in industry and government to describe the administrative department responsible for managing organizational matters.