Charity
['tʃærɪtɪ] or ['tʃærəti]
Definition
(noun.) an activity or gift that benefits the public at large.
(noun.) a kindly and lenient attitude toward people.
(noun.) an institution set up to provide help to the needy.
(noun.) a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals).
Typist: Nora--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Love; universal benevolence; good will.
(n.) 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.
(n.) Liberality to the poor and the suffering, to benevolent institutions, or to worthy causes; generosity.
(n.) Whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the needy or suffering for their relief; alms; any act of kindness.
(n.) A charitable institution, or a gift to create and support such an institution; as, Lady Margaret's charity.
(n.) Eleemosynary appointments [grants or devises] including relief of the poor or friendless, education, religious culture, and public institutions.
Edited by Lelia
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Benevolence, kindness, tenderness, affection, benignity, humanity, kind-heartedness, fellow-feeling, good-will, good-nature, milk of human kindness.[2]. Beneficence, liberality, generosity, bounty, alms-giving, active goodness, doing of good.[3]. Benefaction, gift, alms.
Typist: Maura
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See BENEVOLENCE]
Editor: Stanton
Definition
n. (N.T.) universal love: the disposition to think favourably of others and do them good: almsgiving: (pl.) affections.—adj. Char′itable of or relating to charity: liberal to the poor.—n. Char′itableness.—adv. Char′itably.—Cold as charity an ironical phrase implying the coldness of much so-called charity which should naturally be warm.
Edited by Johanna
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of giving charity, denotes that you will be harassed with supplications for help from the poor and your business will be at standstill. To dream of giving to charitable institutions, your right of possession to paving property will be disputed. Worries and ill health will threaten you. For young persons to dream of giving charity, foreshows they will be annoyed by deceitful rivals. To dream that you are an object of charity, omens that you will succeed in life after hard times with misfortunes.
Editor: Sharon
Unserious Contents or Definition
Forehanded aid to the indigent.
Typist: Molly
Examples
- The only person I know who exactly answers your description, and for whom as a poor deserted orphan it would be a charity to provide, is in Paris. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Both the hospitality and the charity of the ancient clergy, accordingly, are said to have been very great. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- How they showed their scars and sores, and piteously pointed to their maimed and crooked limbs, and begged with their pleading eyes for charity! Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- At this, the charity-boy looked monstrous fierce; and said that Oliver would want one before long, if he cut jokes with his superiors in that way. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Martha painted flowers exquisitely and furnished half the charity bazaars in the county. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Laurie took Amy to drive, which was a deed of charity, for the sour cream seemed to have had a bad effect upon her temper. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- But on Friday night he must be in town, having a Ladies' Charity, in difficulties, waiting to consult him on Saturday morning. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Probably at about the period when they began to dine on the College charity. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- It was as if, even dying, he must have some anxiety, some responsibility of love, of Charity, upon his heart. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Poor charity. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Their charity became gradually less extensive, their hospitality less liberal, or less profuse. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- They were the works of a Sister of Charity--far more difficult to perform than those of a Lady Bountiful. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Were it not, mere charity or friendship could be the only motives for lending. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Then why do they call us charity-children? Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- He had not asked the prisoner to take the handy fellow as an act of charity--never thought of such a thing. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- And then the charities, my Christian brother! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Like all intelligent charities they are still a necessary evil. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- By the ties of the past and the charities of the present. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- They would have a front pew in the most expensive church in New York, and his name would figure handsomely in the list of parish charities. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- To Penelope's great regret, he had been most graciously received, and had added Miss Rachel's name to one of his Ladies' Charities on the spot. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- In foundling hospitals, and among the children brought up by parish charities, the mortality is still greater than among those of the common people. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- What they said about their Charities I didn't hear. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Such incidents as these were not uncommon in Mr. Godfrey's large experience as a promoter of public charities. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- The morning charities and ceremonies took so much time that the rest of the day was devoted to preparations for the evening festivities. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- He has none too much--has to insure his life, besides keeping house, and doing a vicar's charities. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- And what of the charities which absorbed his worldly goods? Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Typed by Geraldine