charity

¹

[ char-i-tee ]

noun

, plural char·i·ties.

1. generous actions or donations to aid people who are poor, ill, or needy:

   to devote one's life to charity.

2. something given to a person or persons in need; alms:

   She asked for work, not charity.

3. a charitable act or work.
4. a charitable fund, foundation, or institution:

   He left his estate to a charity.

5. benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor:

   She looked so hungry that we fed her out of charity.

   Synonyms: aid, philanthropy, altruism, almsgiving, quarter, mercy, indulgence, lenity, leniency, clemency, sympathy, pity, benignity, humanity, goodwill, compassion, kindness, kindliness, benevolence, donation, dole, contribution, beneficence, benefaction

   Antonyms: malevolence

6. leniency in judging others; forbearance:

   She was inclined to view our selfish behavior with charity.

7. Christian love; agape.

Charity

²

[ char-i-tee ]

noun

1. a female given name.

charity

/ ˈtʃærɪtɪ /

noun

1. 1. the giving of help, money, food, etc, to those in need
   2. ( as modifier )

      a charity show

2. 1. an institution or organization set up to provide help, money, etc, to those in need
   2. ( as modifier )

      charity funds

3. the help, money, etc, given to the needy; alms
4. a kindly and lenient attitude towards people
5. love of one's fellow men

Other Words From

• chari·ty·less adjective
• over·chari·ty noun
• pro·chari·ty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of charity¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English charite, from Old French charite, cherite, from Latin cāritāt- (stem of cāritās “high price, costliness, dearness, affection, esteem”), equivalent to cār(us) “costly, dear” + -itāt- noun suffix; cherish, Kama, caress; -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of charity¹

C13: from Old French charite, from Latin cāritās affection, love, from cārus dear

Example Sentences

Smyth, a barrister and senior member of a Christian charity, was accused of attacking dozens of boys, including those he met in the UK in the 1970s and 1980s.

From BBC

The causes of LD are not yet fully understood, the charity says, but vocal exercises and relaxation can help.

From BBC

Aid charities have said the deadlock has put the whole deal over support for women in jeopardy with just three days to go before the conference ends.

From BBC

Finally there’s the option of offering “safe and legal” routes for refugees to enter Britain, the policy preferred by some charities.

From BBC

Wages are rising at a faster rate, offsetting some of these prices increases, but charities' worries are growing about those on benefits.

From BBC

Related Words

• donation
• endowment
• fund
• philanthropy