charitable
Meaning
relating to the assistance of those in need
generous in giving to those in need
kind and tolerant in judging others
Structure
Usage
she made a charitable donation to the local food bank.
he was in a charitable mood and forgave their mistake.
the organization is a registered charitable trust.
Etymology
the word 'charitable' has its roots in the latin noun 'caritas', which conveyed a sense of high cost, dearness, and, by extension, profound affection and love. this term evolved through old french 'charité' into middle english, carrying the christian concept of altruistic love for one's fellow humans. the suffix '-able', of latin origin, was attached to form an adjective meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by' such love. thus, the literal construction 'capable of love' evolved to describe acts of generosity, kindness, and the institutions dedicated to providing aid.
Analysis
charit (from old french 'charité', from latin 'caritas' meaning 'dearness, love, affection'); able (from latin '-abilis', an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'capable of, tending to')