Department
A Dictionary of Law · Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A Dictionary of Law
1.
One of the territorial divisions of a conntry. The term is chiefly used in this sense in France, wherethe division of the country into departments is somewhat analogous, both territorially and for governmental purposés. to the division of an American slate into counties.
2.
One of the divisions of the executive branch of government. Used in this sense in the United States, where each department is charged with a specific class of duties, and comprises an organized staff of officials; e. g., the department of state, department of war, etc.