/ ˈtʃɑːtə(r); NAmE ˈtʃɑːrt-/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a written statement describing the rights that a particular group of people should have :
the European Union's Social Charter of workers' rights
2.
[ C ] a written statement of the principles and aims of an organization
SYN constitution :
the United Nations Charter
3.
[ C ] an official document stating that a ruler or government allows a new organization, town or university to be established and gives it particular rights :
The Royal College received its charter as a university in 1967.
4.
[ sing. ] charter (for sth) ( BrE ) a law or policy that seems likely to help people do sth bad :
The new law will be a charter for unscrupulous financial advisers.
a blackmailer's charter
5.
[ U ] the hiring of a plane, boat, etc. :
a yacht available for charter
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
to hire / rent a plane, boat, etc. for your own use :
a chartered plane
2.
to state officially that a new organization, town or university has been established and has special rights
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French chartre , from Latin chartula , diminutive of charta paperfrom Greek khartēs papyrus leaf.