'Charity' definitions:

Definition of 'charity'

(from WordNet)
noun
A foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
noun
A kindly and lenient attitude toward people [syn: charity, brotherly love]
noun
An activity or gift that benefits the public at large
noun
Pinnate-leaved European perennial having bright blue or white flowers [syn: Jacob's ladder, Greek valerian, charity, Polemonium caeruleum, Polemonium van-bruntiae, Polymonium caeruleum van-bruntiae]
noun
An institution set up to provide help to the needy

Definition of 'Charity'

From: GCIDE
  • Charity \Char"i*ty\, n.; pl. Charities. [F. charit['e] fr. L. caritas dearness, high regard, love, from carus dear, costly, loved; asin to Skr. kam to wish, love, cf. Ir. cara a friend, W. caru to love. Cf. Caress.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. Love; universal benevolence; good will. [1913 Webster]
  • Now abideth faith, hope, charity, three; but the greatest of these is charity. --1. Cor. xiii. 13. [1913 Webster]
  • They, at least, are little to be envied, in whose hearts the great charities . . . lie dead. --Ruskin. [1913 Webster]
  • With malice towards none, with charity for all. --Lincoln. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Liberality in judging of men and their actions; a disposition which inclines men to put the best construction on the words and actions of others. [1913 Webster]
  • The highest exercise of charity is charity towards the uncharitable. --Buckminster. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Liberality to the poor and the suffering, to benevolent institutions, or to worthy causes; generosity. [1913 Webster]
  • The heathen poet, in commending the charity of Dido to the Trojans, spake like a Christian. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the needy or suffering for their relief; alms; any act of kindness. [1913 Webster]
  • She did ill then to refuse her a charity. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A charitable institution, or a gift to create and support such an institution; as, Lady Margaret's charity. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. pl. (Law) Eleemosynary appointments [grants or devises] including relief of the poor or friendless, education, religious culture, and public institutions. [1913 Webster]
  • The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless, Are scattered at the feet of man like flowers. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
  • Sisters of Charity (R. C. Ch.), a sisterhood of religious women engaged in works of mercy, esp. in nursing the sick; -- a popular designation. There are various orders of the Sisters of Charity.
  • Syn: Love; benevolence; good will; affection; tenderness; beneficence; liberality; almsgiving. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'charity'

From: Easton
  • Charity (1 Cor. 13), the rendering in the Authorized Version of the word which properly denotes love, and is frequently so rendered (always so in the Revised Version). It is spoken of as the greatest of the three Christian graces (1 Cor. 12:31-13:13).

Synonyms of 'charity'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Charity'