Webster's English Dictionary

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charity

Cross references:
  1. mercy                 
 
char.i.ty \'char-*t-e-\ n [ME charite, fr. OF charite`, fr. LL caritat-, 
   caritas] Christian love, fr. L, dearness, fr. carus dear; akin to Skt ka-ma 
   love 1: LOVE  2a: kindness or help for the needy or suffering  2b: an 
   institution engaged in relief of the poor  2c: public provision for the 
   relief of the needy  3a: a gift for public benevolent purposes  3b: an 
   institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift  4: lenient judgment of 
   others