Char"i*ta*ble (?), a.[F. See Charity.]
1.
Full of love and good will; benevolent; kind.
Be thy intents wicked or charitable, . . .
. . . I will speak to thee.
Shak.
2.
Liberal in judging of others; disposed to look on the best side, and to avoid harsh judgment.
3.
Liberal in benefactions to the poor; giving freely; generous; beneficent.
What charitable men afford to beggars.
Shak.
4.
Of or pertaining to charity; springing from, or intended for, charity; relating to almsgiving; elemosynary; as, a charitable institution.
5.
Dictated by kindness; favorable; lenient.
By a charitable construction it may be a sermon.
L. Andrews.
Syn. -- Kind; beneficent; benevolent; generous; lenient; forgiving; helpful; liberal; favorable; indulgent.
© Webster 1913.