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.]
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1. Love; universal benevolence; good will.
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Now abideth faith, hope, charity, three; but the
greatest of these is charity. --1. Cor.
xiii. 13.
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They, at least, are little to be envied, in whose
hearts the great charities . . . lie dead. --Ruskin.
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With malice towards none, with charity for all.
--Lincoln.
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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.
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The highest exercise of charity is charity towards
the uncharitable. --Buckminster.
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3. Liberality to the poor and the suffering, to benevolent
institutions, or to worthy causes; generosity.
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The heathen poet, in commending the charity of Dido
to the Trojans, spake like a Christian. --Dryden.
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4. Whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the needy or
suffering for their relief; alms; any act of kindness.
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She did ill then to refuse her a charity.
--L'Estrange.
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5. A charitable institution, or a gift to create and support
such an institution; as, Lady Margaret's charity.
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6. pl. (Law) Eleemosynary appointments [grants or devises]
including relief of the poor or friendless, education,
religious culture, and public institutions.
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The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless,
Are scattered at the feet of man like flowers.
--Wordsworth.
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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.
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