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CHARITY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

CHARITY Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

Charity - Etymology, Origin & Meaning

How appropriate for giving Tuesday!

The word "charity" originates from the Latin word caritas, which means "love", "affection", or "esteem", and ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root kāro-, meaning "dear" or "beloved," which is also the source of the Proto-Indo-European suffix -tas (quality) and the word "care".  The Latin caritas was used to translate the Greek word agape, which refers to a selfless, divine, or Christian love.  The word charity came into English through the Old French word charité and Middle English charite, initially referring to "Christian love" and "benevolence".  By the time of the King James Bible in 1611, the word "charity" was used in translations of agape, but the sense of "almsgiving" or "kindness", before evolving to include the modern sense of giving to the poor or needy. 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the noun "charity" was first used in English in the Middle English period, with the earliest evidence dating to 1154.  

 Examples of "charity" used in a sentence: 
"The dinner was held to raise funds for several charities."
"She runs a local charity that gives books to children."
"All the money will go to charity and help those recovering from the recent fires." 
"She was working as a volunteer at a homeless charity in Cambridge." 
"Her husband is unemployed, but the family also depends on help from the local charity.
"The family didn't have much, but they refused to accept charity and offered to do chores for anyone willing to give them food or clothing."