1. An activity or gift that benefits the public at large.
2. Generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless.
3. Benevolent feeling; especially, toward those in need or in disfavor.
4. A kindly and lenient attitude toward all people.
5. An organization which collects money and other voluntary contributions of help for people in need.
6. The voluntary provision of money, materials, or help for people in need.
7. Money, materials, or help voluntarily given to people in need.
8. The willingness to judge people in a tolerant or favorable way.
9. The impartial love of other people, especially as a Christian virtue.
10. Etymology: "benevolence for the poor", from Old French charite, from Latin caritas, caritatem, "costliness, esteem, affection" (in Vulgate often used as translation of Greek agape, "love"; especially Christian love of fellow mankind, perhaps to avoid the sexual suggestion of Latin amor); from carus, "dear, valued".