# charity

Pronunciation: US say "CHAIR-uh-tee" /ˈt͡ʃɛɹəti/; UK say "CHA-ri-tee" /ˈtʃæɹɪti/; AUS say "CHA-ruh-tee" /ˈt͡ʃæɹəti/

## Noun

1. Kindness toward people who are less fortunate, expressed by giving them goods or money.
   - Simple: Kindness shown by giving money, food, or help to people in need.
   - _The whole town responded with charity after the flood destroyed dozens of homes._
   - _Volunteers practiced charity by distributing blankets and meals to families on the street._
2. An organization whose purpose is to carry out charitable work, such as helping those in need.
   - Simple: A group set up to help people in need, often by collecting and giving away money.
   - _The charity provides clean drinking water to remote villages._
   - _He donated his old books and clothes to a local charity._
3. The money or goods provided to people in need.
   - Simple: Money, food, or other things given to people who need them.
   - _After losing his job, he lived for months on the charity of friends._
   - _The shelter distributes charity collected from local businesses each week._
4. A general attitude of kindness and understanding toward others, now often suggesting generosity.
   - Simple: A kind and understanding attitude toward other people.
   - _She judged her harshest critics with surprising charity._
   - _He reviewed the young writer's flawed first draft with patience and charity._
5. In basketball, a free throw: an unguarded shot awarded to a player after a foul. *(colloquial, Philippines, US)*
   - Simple: In basketball, a free shot given to a player after a foul.
   - _With the score tied, he calmly sank the charity to win it._
   - _The rookie bricked the charity with three seconds left on the clock._

## Noun

6. In Christian thought, divine love, embracing God's love for humanity, human love for God, and love among people. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: In the Christian faith, love between God and people, and love among people.
   - _The old hymn praised charity as the bond that holds all the virtues together._
   - _He preached that charity, more than faith or hope, turns the soul toward God._

## Origin

This word comes from Middle English "charite," borrowed from Old French "charité," which in turn came from Latin "cāritās."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/charity (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).