Noun

(archaic)  Christian love; representing God's love of man, man's love of God, or man's love of his fellow-men.

In general, an attitude of kindness and understanding towards others, now especially suggesting generosity.

Judge thyself with the judgment of sincerity, and thou will judge others with the judgment of charity . — John Mitchell Mason

(uncountable)  Benevolence to others less fortunate than ourselves; the providing of goods or money to those in need.

* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=6 citation , passage=‘[…] I remember a lady coming to inspect St. Mary's Home where I was brought up and seeing us all in our lovely Elizabethan uniforms we were so proud of, and bursting into tears all over us because “it was wicked to dress us like charity children”. […]’.}}

(countable)  The goods or money given to those in need.

(countable)  An organization, the objective of which is to carry out a charitable purpose.

Noun

Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it

* 1849 , Robert Leighton (Archbishop of Glasgow), A practical commentary upon the first Epistle of St. Peter (page 47)

Oh! the unspeakable privilege to have Him for our Father, who is the Father of mercies and compassions , and those not barren, fruitless pityings, for He is withal the God of all consolations.