CHARTER

I. noun Etymology: Middle English chartre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin chartula, from Latin, diminutive of charta Date: 13th century a written instrument or contract (as a deed) executed in due form, 2. a grant or guarantee of rights, franchises, or privileges from the sovereign power of a state or country, a written instrument that creates and defines the franchises of a city, educational institution, or corporation, constitution , a written instrument from the authorities of a society creating a lodge or branch, a special privilege, immunity, or exemption, a mercantile lease of a ship or some principal part of it, a ~ travel arrangement, II. transitive verb Date: 15th century 1. to establish, enable, or convey by ~, certify , to hire, rent, or lease for usually exclusive and temporary use , see: hire ~er noun III. adjective Date: 1922 of, relating to, or being a travel arrangement in which transportation (as a bus or plane) is hired by and for one specific group of people