browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about charities
charities |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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}.] 1. Love; universal benevolence; good will Now abideth faith, hope, charity, three but the greatest of these is charity. --1. Cor. xiii. 13. They at least, are little to be envied, in whose hearts the great charities . . . lie dead. --Ruskin. With malice towards none, with charity for all --Lincoln. 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 The highest exercise of charity is charity towards the uncharitable. --Buckminster. 3. Liberality to the poor and the suffering, to benevolent institutions, or to worthy causes; generosity. The heathen poet, in commending the charity of Dido to the Trojans, spake like a Christian. --Dryden. 4. Whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the needy or suffering for their relief; alms; any act of kindness. She did ill then to refuse her a charity. --L'Estrange. 5. A charitable institution, or a gift to create and support such an institution; as Lady Margaret's charity. 6. pl (Law) Eleemosynary appointments [grants or devises] including relief of the poor or friendless, education, religious culture, and public institutions. The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless, Are scattered at the feet of man like flowers. --Wordsworth. {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.
more about charities
This work is licensed under a
