Charter

[Fr. chartre, from L. Lat. chartarium, the place where documents were deposited, from Lat. charta, paper.] A writing conferring or bestowing powers, rights, or privileges. "Upon your charter and your city's freedom."-Shaks. -A special privilege, immunity, or exemption. "As large a charter as the wind."- Shaks . (Law.) A writing given as evidence of a grant, contract, .; a deed of conveyance. (Com.and Naut .) The letting or hiring of a ve el for a certain purpose, and by special contract; as, a ship is advertised for charter . -v. a. To establish by charter; as, to charter a public company. ( Naut .) To hire or let by charter, as a ship. Chartered, a . Privileged by charter; granted by charter; enjoying a privilege or license. "The air, a charter'd libertine, is still." Shaks. -Hired by charter, as a ship. Char'terer, n . ( Com .) A person who hires a ship for a specific voyage, paying for the use of the same generally in a stated, or lump sum.