Char"ter (?), n. [OF. chartre, F. chartre, charte, fr. L. chartula a little paper, dim. of charta. See Chart, Card.] 1. A written evidence in due form of things done or granted, contracts made, etc., between man and man; a deed, or conveyance. [Archaic]

2. An instrument in writing, from the sovereign power of a state or country, executed in due form, bestowing rights, franchises, or privileges.

The king [John, a.d. 1215], with a facility somewhat suspicious, signed and sealed the charter which was required of him. This famous deed, commonly called the "Great Charter," either granted or secured very important liberties and privileges to every order of men in the kingdom.
Hume.

3. An act of a legislative body creating a municipal or other corporation and defining its powers and privileges. Also, an instrument in writing from the constituted authorities of an order or society (as the Freemasons), creating a lodge and defining its powers.

4. A special privilege, immunity, or exemption.

My mother,
Who has a charter to extol her blood,
When she does praise me, grieves me.
Shak.

5. (Com.) The letting or hiring a vessel by special contract, or the contract or instrument whereby a vessel is hired or let; as, a ship is offered for sale or charter. See Charter party, below.

Char"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chartered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chartering.] 1. To establish by charter.

2. To hire or let by charter, as a ship. See Charter party, under Charter, n.

• a document issued by some authority, creating a public or private institution, and defining its purposes and privileges
  
• a similar document confering rights and privileges on a person, corporation etc
  
• a contract for the commercial leasing of a vessel, or space on a vessel
  
• the temporary hiring or leasing of a vehicle
  
• a deed
  
• leased or hired
  
• to grant or establish a charter
  
• to lease or hire something by charter