n.
- a written grant by a sovereign or legislature, by which a body such as a university is created or its rights and privileges defined.
- a written constitution or description of an organization's functions.
- (in the UK) a written statement of the rights of a specified group of people:
the patient's charter.
- the hiring of an aircraft, ship, or motor vehicle.
v.
-
[usu. as adj. chartered]
grant a charter to (a city, university, etc.).
- hire (an aircraft, ship, or motor vehicle).
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. chartre, from L. chartula, dimin. of charta (see card1).