charter

English

/ˈt͡ʃɑːtə/, /ˈt͡ʃɑɹtɚ/

noun
Definitions
  • A document issued by some authority, creating a public or private institution, and defining its purposes and privileges.
  • A similar document conferring rights and privileges on a person, corporation etc.
  • A contract for the commercial leasing of a vessel, or space on a vessel.
  • The temporary hiring or leasing of a vehicle.
  • A deed legal contract.
  • A special privilege, immunity, or exemption.
  • (UK) a provision whose unintended consequence would be to encourage an undesirable activity

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English charter borrowed from Old French chartre derived from Latin chartula (little paper).

Origin

Latin

chartula

Gloss

little paper

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms