charge etymology

Etymology

The word "charge" comes from the Old French word "carge," which in turn derives from the Latin word "carrus," meaning "cart" or "wagon." The original meaning of "charge" was therefore "a load or burden."

Meaning and Origin

In modern English, "charge" has a wide range of meanings, including:

• A duty or responsibility: "It is your charge to care for your younger siblings."
• An accusation or allegation: "He was charged with theft."
• An electrical current or energy: "The battery charge is low."
• A payment for a service: "The shipping charge was $10."
• A military unit: "The general ordered the charge to advance."
• A sudden rush or attack: "The soldiers charged into battle."

The diverse meanings of "charge" reflect its original meaning of a load or burden. In each sense, "charge" refers to something that is carried, imposed, or applied.

Examples

• "The mayor has the charge of overseeing the city government."
• "The police charged the suspect with possession of a firearm."
• "The capacitor holds a charge of electricity."
• "There is an additional charge for expedited shipping."
• "The cavalry launched a thunderous charge against the enemy."
• "The team made a charge towards the opponent's goal."

charge relate terms

• cargo

  Etymology The word cargo is derived from the Spanish word cargar which means to loa

• charge

  Etymology The word charge comes from the Old French word carge which in turn derives

• cark

  Etymology and Meaning The word car is derived from the Latin word carrus which mean

• cark

  Etymology and Meaning The word car is derived from the Latin word carrus which mean

• carrack

  Etymology Carrack comes from the Medieval Latin word carraca which in turn is deriv

• surcharge

  Etymology Old French surcharge Latin super carrīcāre to load Meaning An

• cartridge

  Etymology of Cartridge The word cartridge comes from the Middle French word cartouche

• accusation

  Etymology The word accusation is derived from the Latin word accusare meaning to c

• butler

  Etymology The word butler is derived from the Old French word botellier which in tur

• cover

  Etymology Origin of the Word Middle English coveren cover from the Old French covr

• direction

  Etymology The word direction comes from the Latin word directio which means a strai

• render

  Etymology Old French rendre Late Latin reddere Proto Indo European red Meaning

• dependent

  Etymology The word dependent comes from the Latin verb dependere which means to han