secretariat

 
Pronunciation: /ˌsɛkrɪˈtɛːrɪət/

noun

  • a permanent administrative office or department, especially a governmental one: the European Secretariat in Luxembourg
  • [treated as singular or plural] the staff working in a secretariat.

Origin:

early 19th century: from French secrétariat, from medieval Latin secretariatus, from secretarius (see secretary)