Etymology
From Middle English charite, from Old French charité, cherte, chariteit, cariteit, from Latin cāritās.
Noun
charity (countable and uncountable, plural charities)
- (countable) An organization, the objective of which is to carry out a charitable (kind, generous) purpose.
- (countable) The goods or money given to those in need.
- (uncountable) Benevolence to others less fortunate than ourselves; the providing of goods or money to those in need.
- In general, an attitude of kindness and understanding towards others, now especially suggesting generosity.
Derived terms
- anticharity
- charitable
- charity box
- charity case
- charity shop
- charity stamp
- charity stripe
- charityware
- principle of charity
Credits
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