Chăr'i-ty, n.
(88), n. [Fr. charité, Pr. caritat, Sp. caridad, Pg. caritate, It. carità, caritale, from Lat. caritas, dearness, high regard, love, from carus, dear, costly, loved.] 1. That disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good; love; benevolence; good-will.
Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Cor. xiii. 13.
Sense 2. Liberality to the poor, or to benevolent institutions; generosity.
A man must have great impudence to profess himself a Christian, and yet to think himself not obliged to do acts of charity. Stillingfleet.
Sense 3. Whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the poor for their relief; alms.
It was not in dress, nor feasting, nor promiscuous amours, nor promiscuous charities, that his chief expense lay. Macaulay.
Sense 4. Liberality in judging of men and their actions; a disposition which inclines men to put the best construction on words and actions of their fellow-men.
The highest exercise of charity is charity toward the uncharitable. Buckminster.
Sense 5. Any act of kindness or benevolence; as, the charities of life.
The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless, Are scattered at the feet of man like flowers. Wordsworth.
Sense 6. A charitable institution, or a gift to create and support such an institution.
Sisters of Charity (Rom. Cath. Church), communities of nuns of various orders engaged in works of mercy;—a popular designation.
Synonyms—Love; benevolence; good-will; affection; tenderness; liberality; indulgence; alms-giving.