[charge] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. chargier] (13c) 1 a obs: a material load or weight b: a figure borne on a heraldic field
2. a: the quantity that an apparatus is intended to receive and fitted to hold b: a store or accumulation of impelling force "the deeply emotional ~ of the drama" c: a definite quantity of electricity; esp: an excess or deficiency of electrons in a body d: thrill, kick "got a ~ out of the game" 3 a: obligation, requirement b: management, supervision "has ~ of the home office" c: the ecclesiastical jurisdiction (as a parish) committed to a clergyman d: a person or thing committed to the care of another
4. a: instruction, command b: instruction in points of law given by a court to a jury
5. a: expense, cost "gave the banquet at his own ~" b: the price demanded for something "no admission ~" c: a debit to an account "the purchase was a ~" d: the record of a loan (as of a book from a library) e Brit: an interest in property granted as security for a loan
6. a: a formal assertion of illegality "a ~ of murder" b: a statement of complaint or hostile criticism "denied the ~s of nepotism that were leveled against him" 7: a violent rush forward (as to attack) -- in charge : having control or custody of something "he is in charge of the training program"
[2]charge vb charged ; charg.ing [ME, fr. OF chargier, fr. LL carricare, fr. L carrus wheeled vehicle--more at car] vt (14c) 1 a archaic: to lay or put a load on or in: load b (1): to place a charge (as of powder) in (2): to load or fill to capacity c (1): to restore the active materials in (a storage battery) by the passage of a direct current through in the opposite direction to that of discharge (2): to give an electric charge to "~ a capacitor" d (1): to assume as a heraldic bearing (2): to place a heraldic bearing on e: to fill or furnish fully "the music is charged with excitement"
2. a: to impose a task or responsibility on "~ him with the job of finding a new meeting place" b: to command, instruct, or exhort with authority "I ~ you not to go" c of a judge: to give a charge to (a jury) 3 a: to make an assertion against esp. by ascribing guilt or blame "~s him with armed robbery" "they were charged as being instigators" b: to place the guilt or blame for "~ her failure to negligence" c: to assert as an accusation "~s that he distorted the data"
4. a: to bring (a weapon) into position for attack: level "~ a lance" b: to rush against: attack; also: to rush into (an opponent) usu. illegally in various sports
5. a (1): to impose a financial burden on "~ his estate with debts incurred" (2): to impose or record as financial obligation "~ debts to an estate" b (1): to fix or ask as fee or payment "~s $50 for an office visit" (2): to ask payment of (a person) "~ a client for expenses" c: to record (an item) as an expense, debt, obligation, or liability "charged a new sofa" ~ vi 1: to rush forward in or as if in assault: attack; also: to charge an opponent in sports
2: to ask or set a price "do you ~ for this service?"
3: to charge an item to an account "~ now, pay later" syn see command