charter

¹char·ter

noun \ˈchär-tər\

Definition of CHARTER

1

: a written instrument or contract (as a deed) executed in due form

2

a : a grant or guarantee of rights, franchises, or privileges from the sovereign power of a state or country

b : a written instrument that creates and defines the franchises of a city, educational institution, or corporation

c : constitution

3

: a written instrument from the authorities of a society creating a lodge or branch

4

: a special privilege, immunity, or exemption

5

: a mercantile lease of a ship or some principal part of it

6

: a charter travel arrangement

Examples of CHARTER

1. The charter allows for unrestricted trading.

Origin of CHARTER

Middle English chartre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin chartula, from Latin, diminutive of charta

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with CHARTER

barter, carter, darter, garter, martyr, starter, tartar

²charter

transitive verb

Definition of CHARTER

1

a : to establish, enable, or convey by charter

b British : certify <a chartered mechanical engineer>

2

: to hire, rent, or lease for usually exclusive and temporary use <chartered a boat for deep-sea fishing>

— char·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

Examples of CHARTER

1. The city was chartered in 1837.
2. The team chartered a plane.

First Known Use of CHARTER

15th century

Related to CHARTER

Synonyms

hire, engage, lease, rent

Antonyms

disqualify

Related Words

sublease, sublet; check out; arrange (for), bespeak, book, contract (for), order, reserve, sign up (for)

Near Antonyms

ban, bar, block, constrain, deny, disallow, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent, shut out, stop; enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe, veto

See Synonym Discussion at hire

Other Transportation Terms

camber, corduroy, demurrage, milestone

Rhymes with CHARTER

barter, carter, garter, martyr, starter, tartar

³charter

adjective

Definition of CHARTER

: of, relating to, or being a travel arrangement in which transportation (as a bus or plane) is hired by and for one specific group of people <a charter flight>

First Known Use of CHARTER

1922

Other Transportation Terms

camber, corduroy, demurrage, milestone

charter

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Document granting certain specified rights, powers, privileges, or functions from the sovereign power of a state to a person, corporation, city, or other unit of local organization. In Magna Carta (1215), King John granted certain liberties to the English people. Elsewhere in medieval Europe, monarchs issued charters to towns, guilds, universities, and other institutions, granting the institution certain privileges and sometimes specifying how they should conduct their internal affairs. Later, charters were granted to overseas trading companies (e.g., the British East India Co.), granting them monopolies in certain areas. Britain's colonies in North America were established by charter. Modern charters may be corporate or municipal. A corporate charter, issued by a governmental body, grants individuals the power to form a corporation, or limited-liability company. A municipal charter is a law that creates a new political subdivision and allows the people within it to organize themselves into a municipal corporation, in effect delegating to the people the powers of local self-government.