n.; pl. Charities [ F. charité 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 ]