Collins English-English Dictionary

charter ['tʃɒːtə]

1. 1. n a formal document from the sovereign or state incorporating a city, bank, college, etc, and specifying its purposes and rights

2. 2. n [sometimes capital] a formal document granting or demanding from the sovereign power of a state certain rights or liberties

3. 3. n a document issued by a society or an organization authorizing the establishment of a local branch or chapter

4. 4. n a special privilege or exemption

5. 5. n [often capital] the fundamental principles of an organization; constitution

   the Charter of the United Nations

6. 6. n the hire or lease of transportation

7. 7. n the agreement or contract regulating this

8. 8. n (as modifier)

   a charter flight

9. 9. n a law, policy, or decision containing a loophole which allows a specified group to engage more easily in an activity considered undesirable

   a beggars' charter

10. 10. n another word for charterparty

11. 11. vt. [maritime law] [tr] to lease or hire by charterparty

12. 12. vt. to hire (a vehicle, etc)

13. 13. vt. to grant a charter of incorporation or liberties to (a group or person)

14. 14. vt. [Etymology] C13: from Old French chartre, from Latin chartula a little paper, from charta leaf of papyrus; see chart