charter
[Old French
chartre letter, formal document, from Late Latin
chartula, from Latin, diminutive of
charta sheet of papyrus]
1 a : a grant or guarantee of rights, powers, or privileges from an authority or agency of a state or country [a state bank ] compare
constitution b : a written instrument that creates and defines the powers and privileges of a city, educational institution, or corporation compare
articles of incorporation 2 : a written instrument from the authorities of a society creating a lodge, branch, or chapter
3 : a lease of a ship esp. for the delivery of cargo called also
charter party vt
1 : to establish, enable, or convey by charter [ a bank]
2 : to lease or hire for usually exclusive and temporary use [ a ship]