charter /chärˈtər/

1. Any formal writing in evidence of a grant, contract, or other transactions, conferring or confirming titles, rights or privileges, etc
2. The formal deed by which a sovereign guarantees the rights and privileges of his or her subjects
3. A document creating a borough or other corporation
4. Any instrument by which powers and privileges are conferred by the state on a body of persons for a special object
5. A set of principles that form the constitution of an organization
6. (an agreement or contract for) the let or hire of eg a ship or aircraft
7. A patent
8. A grant
9. An allowance

1. To establish by charter
2. To let or hire (eg a ship or aircraft) on contract

1. Hired (as in charter plane)
2. Made in a hired aircraft (as in charter flight)

chartˈered adjective

1. Granted or protected by a charter
2. Privileged
3. Licensed
4. Hired by contract

chartˈerer noun

chartˈer-chest noun

A box in which charters are preserved

chartered accountant, chartered engineer or chartered surveyor, etc noun

A person qualified under the regulations of the relevant institute or professional body which has a royal charter

chartered company noun

A trading company acting under a charter from the crown

chartˈer-handˈ noun

Court hand

Charter Mark noun

In the UK, an award bestowed on organizations that achieve a high standard of service under the Citizen's Charter

charter mayor noun

The mayor of a borough at the time of its charter

charter member noun

An original member of an incorporation

chartˈerparty noun see separate entry.

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