I. ˈchär-tər noun
Etymology: Middle English chartre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin chartula, from Latin, diminutive of charta
Date: 13th century
1. : a written instrument or contract (as a deed) executed in due form
2.
a. : a grant or guarantee of rights, franchises, or privileges from the sovereign power of a state or country
b. : a written instrument that creates and defines the franchises of a city, educational institution, or corporation
c. : constitution
3. : a written instrument from the authorities of a society creating a lodge or branch
4. : a special privilege, immunity, or exemption
5. : a mercantile lease of a ship or some principal part of it
6. : a charter travel arrangement
II. transitive verb
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : to establish, enable, or convey by charter
b. British : certify
a charter ed mechanical engineer
2. : to hire, rent, or lease for usually exclusive and temporary use
charter ed a boat for deep-sea fishing
Synonyms: see hire
• char·ter·er -tər-ər 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
a charter flight