ˈcharəd.ē, -ətē, -i also -er- noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English charite, from Old French charité, from Late Latin caritat-, caritas Christian love, from Latin, costliness, high regard, love, from carus dear, costly, loved + -itat-, -itas -ity; akin to Old Irish caraim I love, Sanskrit kāma love, desire
1. : Christian love:
a. : the virtue or act of loving God with a love which transcends that for creatures and of loving others for the sake of God
b. : divine love for man : love in its perfection
c. : the act of loving or the disposition to love all men as brothers because they are sons of God : love of fellow men
2.
a. : the kindly and sympathetic disposition to aid the needy or suffering : liberality to the poor, to benevolent institutions, or to worthy causes
the charity of the neighbors was exhausted and there was no more food in the house — Vicki Baum
b. : an act or series of acts of aid to the needy
performed many charities among her neighbors
c. : whatever is given to the needy or suffering for their relief : alms
give her a charity
d. : an organization or institution engaged in the free assistance of the poor, the suffering, or the distressed
a list of deserving charities
e. : public provision for the care or relief of the needy
too proud to accept charity
f. : the recipient of charitable assistance
he is one of my father's charities
3.
a.
(1) : love or affection for others : a disposition to good will, kindliness, and sympathy
no one minded him laughing at them when they saw the endless charity of his eyes — Mary Webb
(2) : an act or instance of good will or affection
b. : an eleemosynary gift : a gift (as by grant or devise) of real or personal property to the use of the public or any portion of it as distinct from specific individuals for any beneficial or salutary purpose
c. : an institution (as a hospital, library, or school) founded by a gift and intended for the use of the public
4. : a disposition to liberal lenient tolerant judgment and toward minimizing shortcomings and putting the best possible construction on the characteristics or actions of others
a kindly critic liked for his charity and moderation
5. : a refreshment dispensed between meals in a monastery
6. : jacob's ladder 1a
7. : charity stamp
Synonyms: see mercy