charity Hear it!

charity Definition

char·ity (c̸har′i tē)

noun pl. -·ties

  1. Christian Theol. the love of God for humanity, or a love of one's fellow human beings
  2. an act of goodwill or affection
  3. the feeling of goodwill; benevolence
  4. kindness or leniency in judging others
    1. a voluntary giving of money or other help to those in need
    2. money or help so given
    3. an institution or other recipient of such help
  6. a welfare institution, organization, or fund

Etymology: ME & OFr charite < L caritas, costliness, esteem, affection (in Vulg., often used as transl. of LGr(Ec) agapē, agape) < carus, dear, valued < IE *karo- < base *ka-, to like, desire > whore

Charity Definition

Char·ity (c̸har′i tē)

noun

a feminine name

Etymology: see charity

charity Synonyms

charity

n.

  1. Kindness

    benevolence, magnanimity, compassion; see kindness 1, mercy 1, tolerance 1.

  2. An organization to aid the needy

    charitable institution, philanthropy, foundation, fund, welfare organization, eleemosynary corporation; see also foundation 3.

    Organized charities include: American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Foundation for AIDS Research, American Foundation for the Blind, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, CARE, Catholic Charities, Community Chest, Easter Seal Society, Goodwill, Heart and Lung Foundation, Jewish Welfare Fund, Leukemia Society Inc., Lupus Foundation, March of Dimes, Medico, Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation Corp., Muscular Dystrophy Association of America Inc., National Association of the Deaf, National Association for Retarded Children, National Mental Health Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, National Epilepsy League, National Foundation for Neuromuscular Diseases, National Hemophilia Foundation, National Kidney Foundation Inc., National Paraplegia Foundation Inc., National Society for the Prevention of Blindness, National Tuberculosis Association, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Salvation Army, United Cerebral Palsy Association Inc., United Fund, United Health Foundation Inc., United Leukemia Fund Inc., United Negro College Fund, United Ostomy Association, United Parkinson Foundation, United Way.

  3. Money or help given to those in need

    donation, alms, welfare, handout*; see gift 1. See syn. study at mercy.

charity Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • dedicate: The BMS is a registered charity dedicated to.. .
  • nominate: All proceeds from the song are to go to Specsavers nominated charity, Guide Dogs.
  • found: The Historic Churches Preservation Trust ( HCPT ) is a charity founded in 1953, the leading body dedicated to preserving these churches.
  • register: Charity Commission - Forms and other info on registering a charity.
  • choose: In the SPRING term each YEAR GROUP chooses a charity to support.
  • commit: About Citizens Online Citizens Online is a national charity committed to closing the digital divide.

Adjective modifier

  • registered: The registered charity receives all profits from the limited company.
  • leading: Many leading charities have signed up to its codes of best practice.
  • national: Cancer Research UK: The national charity for major research into causes of cancer.
  • independent: The Civic Trust is an independent, national charity, founded in 1957.
  • educational: He founded The Blavatsky Trust, an educational charity, in England in 1974.
  • exempt: Many exempt charities are very large with substantial incomes and assets.

Modifies a noun

  • trustee: Stephen Hine of the Ethical Investment Research Service adds that charity trustees have many demands on their time.
  • No.: Reviewed: 12/07/2006 Site content by NEA ©2006 - Site designed and developed by Whirligig ©2006 NEA is an independent charity Registration No. 290511.
  • shop: I have framed the opening speech made by Jock Scot last year, using a charity shop frame.
  • auction: The eBay charity auction opened at £ 240 and will end at 5.30pm on Saturday.
  • fundraiser: Graham Norton has been added to the bill of a charity fundraiser at the Edinburgh Festival.

Noun used with modifier

  • homelessness: He joined CLS in January December 1996 from Crisis, the national homelessness charity, where he was a Senior Manager.
  • conservation: The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity.
  • cancer: Some cancer charities refuse to put their money into tobacco manufacturers, for instance.