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CHARGE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A special assignment that is given to a person or group
Example:
his charge was deliver a message
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
assignment; duty assignment (a duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
fool's errand (a fruitless mission)
mission impossible (an extremely dangerous or difficult mission)
martyr operation; sacrifice operation; suicide mission (killing or injuring others while annihilating yourself; usually accomplished with a bomb)
Derivation:
charge (instruct or command with authority)
charge (impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to)
charge (assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Attention and management implying responsibility for safety
Example:
he is in the care of a bodyguard
Synonyms:
care; charge; guardianship; tutelage
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
protection (the activity of protecting someone or something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
due care; ordinary care; reasonable care (the care that a reasonable man would exercise under the circumstances; the standard for determining legal duty)
foster care (supervised care for delinquent or neglected children usually in an institution or substitute home)
great care (more attention and consideration than is normally bestowed by prudent persons)
providence (the guardianship and control exercised by a deity)
slight care (such care as a careless or inattentive person would exercise)
Derivation:
charge (assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An impetuous rush toward someone or something
Example:
the battle began with a cavalry charge
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
attack; onrush; onset; onslaught ((military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
countercharge (a retaliatory charge)
Derivation:
charge (to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A quantity of explosive to be set off at one time
Example:
this cartridge has a powder charge of 50 grains
Synonyms:
burster; bursting charge; charge; explosive charge
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
explosive (a chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
shot (an explosive charge used in blasting)
undercharge (an insufficient charge)
rocket fuel; rocket propellant; rocket propellent (an explosive charge that propels a rocket)
Derivation:
charge (provide (a device) with something necessary)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Heraldry consisting of a design or image depicted on a shield
Synonyms:
armorial bearing; bearing; charge; heraldic bearing
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
heraldry (emblem indicating the right of a person to bear arms)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
roundel ((heraldry) a charge in the shape of a filled circle)
annulet ((heraldry) a charge in the shape of a small ring)
chevron (an inverted V-shaped charge)
fleur-de-lis; fleur-de-lys ((heraldry) charge consisting of a conventionalized representation of an iris)
ordinary ((heraldry) any of several conventional figures used on shields)
Derivation:
charge (place a heraldic bearing on)
Sense 6
Meaning:
(criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense
Example:
he was arrested on a charge of larceny
Synonyms:
charge; complaint
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
pleading ((law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding)
Domain category:
criminal law (the body of law dealing with crimes and their punishment)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
accusal; accusation (a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt)
Holonyms ("charge" is a part of...):
bill of indictment; indictment (a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense)
Derivation:
charge (blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against)
charge (file a formal charge against)
Sense 7
Meaning:
An assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence
Example:
the newspaper published charges that Jones was guilty of drunken driving
Synonyms:
accusation; charge
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
assertion; asseveration; averment (a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
countercharge (a charge brought by an accused person against the accuser)
Derivation:
charge (blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against)
charge (make an accusatory claim)
Sense 8
Meaning:
A formal statement of a command or injunction to do something
Example:
the judge's charge to the jury
Synonyms:
charge; commission; direction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
bid; bidding; command; dictation (an authoritative direction or instruction to do something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
misdirection (an incorrect charge to a jury given by a judge)
Derivation:
charge (instruct (a jury) about the law, its application, and the weighing of evidence)
charge (assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Request for payment of a debt
Example:
they submitted their charges at the end of each month
Synonyms:
billing; charge
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
asking; request (the verbal act of requesting)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
presentment (a document that must be accepted and paid by another person)
Derivation:
charge (enter a certain amount as a charge)
charge (demand payment)
charge (pay with a credit card; pay with plastic money; postpone payment by recording a purchase as a debt)
Sense 10
Meaning:
The swift release of a store of affective force
Example:
he does it for kicks
Synonyms:
bang; boot; charge; flush; kick; rush; thrill
Classified under:
Nouns denoting feelings and emotions
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
excitement; exhilaration (the feeling of lively and cheerful joy)
Derivation:
charge (cause to be agitated, excited, or roused)
Sense 11
Meaning:
(psychoanalysis) the libidinal energy invested in some idea or person or object
Example:
Freud thought of cathexis as a psychic analog of an electrical charge
Synonyms:
cathexis; charge
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
libidinal energy ((psychoanalysis) psychic energy produced by the libido)
Domain category:
analysis; depth psychology; psychoanalysis (a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders; based on the theories of Sigmund Freud)
Sense 12
Meaning:
A person committed to your care
Example:
the teacher led her charges across the street
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
dependant; dependent (a person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support))
Derivation:
charge (give over to another for care or safekeeping)
charge (assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to)
Sense 13
Meaning:
The quantity of unbalanced electricity in a body (either positive or negative) and construed as an excess or deficiency of electrons
Example:
the battery needed a fresh charge
Synonyms:
charge; electric charge
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural phenomena
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
electrical phenomenon (a physical phenomenon involving electricity)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
electrostatic charge (the electric charge at rest on the surface of an insulated body (which establishes and adjacent electrostatic field))
positive charge (having a deficiency of electrons; having a higher electric potential)
negative charge (having a surplus of electrons; having a lower electric potential)
Derivation:
charge (energize a battery by passing a current through it in the direction opposite to discharge)
charge (cause formation of a net electrical charge in or on)
Sense 14
Meaning:
The price charged for some article or service
Example:
the admission charge
Classified under:
Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
cost (the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
porterage (the charge for carrying burdens by porters)
postage (the charge for mailing something)
poundage (a charge based on weight measured in pounds)
charge per unit; rate (amount of a charge or payment relative to some basis)
water-rate (rate per quarter for water from a public supply)
surcharge (an additional charge (as for items previously omitted or as a penalty for failure to exercise common caution or common skill))
service charge; service fee (a percentage of a bill (as at a hotel or restaurant) added in payment for service)
stowage (the charge for stowing goods)
tankage (the charge for storing something in tanks)
installation charge (the charge for installing something)
demurrage (a charge required as compensation for the delay of a ship or freight car or other cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure)
agio; agiotage; exchange premium; premium (a fee charged for exchanging currencies)
fixed charge; fixed cost; fixed costs (a periodic charge that does not vary with business volume (as insurance or rent or mortgage payments etc.))
fare; transportation (the sum charged for riding in a public conveyance)
overcharge (a price that is too high)
undercharge (a price that is too low)
depreciation charge (an amount periodically charged to expense or against revenue in compensation for depreciation of property)
carrying charge (charge made for carrying an account or for merchandise sold on an installment plan)
Derivation:
charge (set or ask for a certain price)
charge (demand payment)
charge (enter a certain amount as a charge)
Sense 15
Meaning:
Financial liabilities (such as a tax)
Example:
the charges against the estate
Classified under:
Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession
Hypernyms ("charge" is a kind of...):
liabilities (anything that is owed to someone else)
Domain category:
revenue enhancement; tax; taxation (charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "charge"):
levy (a charge imposed and collected)
encumbrance; incumbrance (a charge against property (as a lien or mortgage))
assessment (an amount determined as payable)
Derivation:
charge (enter a certain amount as a charge)
II. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they charge ... he / she / it charges
Past simple: charged
Past participle: charged
-ing form: charging
Sense 1
Meaning:
Saturate
Example:
The room was charged with tension and anxiety
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
impregnate; saturate (infuse or fill completely)
Verb group:
charge (fill or load to capacity)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Sense 2
Meaning:
Energize a battery by passing a current through it in the direction opposite to discharge
Example:
I need to charge my car battery
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
furnish; provide; render; supply (give something useful or necessary to)
Verb group:
charge (cause formation of a net electrical charge in or on)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
recharge (charge anew)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Derivation:
charge (the quantity of unbalanced electricity in a body (either positive or negative) and construed as an excess or deficiency of electrons)
charger (a device that can hold a rechargeable battery by means of an electrical cable)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Cause formation of a net electrical charge in or on
Example:
charge a conductor
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Verb group:
charge (energize a battery by passing a current through it in the direction opposite to discharge)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
charge (the quantity of unbalanced electricity in a body (either positive or negative) and construed as an excess or deficiency of electrons)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Set or ask for a certain price
Example:
This fellow charges $100 for a massage
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
determine; set (fix conclusively or authoritatively)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
charge (the price charged for some article or service)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Attribute responsibility to
Example:
The tragedy was charged to her inexperience
Synonyms:
blame; charge
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
ascribe; assign; attribute; impute (attribute or credit to)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 6
Meaning:
Instruct or command with authority
Example:
The teacher charged the children to memorize the poem
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
instruct (give instructions or directions for some task)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE
Derivation:
charge (a special assignment that is given to a person or group)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Instruct (a jury) about the law, its application, and the weighing of evidence
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
instruct (give instructions or directions for some task)
Domain category:
jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Derivation:
charge (a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to
Example:
He charged her with cleaning up all the files over the weekend
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
command; require (make someone do something)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
overburden (burden with too much work or responsibility)
bear down (exert a force or cause a strain upon)
deluge; flood out; overwhelm (charge someone with too many tasks)
adjure (command solemnly)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody with something
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE
Derivation:
charge (a special assignment that is given to a person or group)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against
Example:
he charged the director with indifference
Synonyms:
accuse; charge
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
blame; fault (put or pin the blame on)
accuse; criminate; impeach; incriminate (bring an accusation against; level a charge against)
asperse; besmirch; calumniate; defame; denigrate; slander; smear; smirch; sully (charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone)
indict (accuse formally of a crime)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody with something
Sentence example:
They want to charge the prisoners
Derivation:
charge ((criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense)
charge (an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence)
Sense 10
Meaning:
Make an accusatory claim
Example:
The defense attorney charged that the jurors were biased
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
claim (assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
tax (make a charge against or accuse)
complain (make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Derivation:
charge (an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence)
Sense 11
Meaning:
File a formal charge against
Example:
The suspect was charged with murdering his wife
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
accuse; criminate; impeach; incriminate (bring an accusation against; level a charge against)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
impeach (charge (a public official) with an offense or misdemeanor committed while in office)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody with something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Derivation:
charge ((criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense)
Sense 12
Meaning:
To make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
Example:
he saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork
Synonyms:
bear down; charge
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
rush (attack suddenly)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Derivation:
charge (an impetuous rush toward someone or something)
charger (formerly a strong swift horse ridden into battle)
Sense 13
Meaning:
Direct into a position for use
Example:
He charged his weapon at me
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
aim; direct; take; take aim; train (point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards)
Verb group:
point (be positionable in a specified manner)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Sense 14
Meaning:
Fill or load to capacity
Example:
charge the wagon with hay
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Verb group:
charge (saturate)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
freight (load with goods for transportation)
burden; burthen; weight; weight down (weight down with a load)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody with something
Somebody ----s something PP
Antonym:
discharge (remove the charge from)
Sense 15
Meaning:
Provide (a device) with something necessary
Example:
load the camera
Synonyms:
charge; load
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
fill; fill up; make full (make full, also in a metaphorical sense)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
recharge; reload (load anew)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
charge (a quantity of explosive to be set off at one time)
Sense 16
Meaning:
Place a heraldic bearing on
Example:
charge all weapons, shields, and banners
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
paint (make a painting)
Domain category:
art; artistic creation; artistic production (the creation of beautiful or significant things)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
charge (heraldry consisting of a design or image depicted on a shield)
Sense 17
Meaning:
Cause to be agitated, excited, or roused
Example:
The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks
Synonyms:
agitate; charge; charge up; commove; excite; rouse; turn on
Classified under:
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
disturb; trouble; upset (move deeply)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
hype up; psych up (get excited or stimulated)
bother (make nervous or agitated)
pother (make upset or troubled)
electrify (excite suddenly and intensely)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Derivation:
charge (the swift release of a store of affective force)
Sense 18
Meaning:
Lie down on command, of hunting dogs
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
lie; lie down (assume a reclining position)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Sense 19
Meaning:
Move quickly and violently
Example:
He came charging into my office
Synonyms:
buck; charge; shoot; shoot down; tear
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
belt along; bucket along; cannonball along; hasten; hie; hotfoot; pelt along; race; rush; rush along; speed; step on it (move hurridly)
Verb group:
dart; dash; flash; scoot; scud; shoot (run or move very quickly or hastily)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
rip (move precipitously or violently)
Sentence frames:
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP
Sense 20
Meaning:
Pay with a credit card; pay with plastic money; postpone payment by recording a purchase as a debt
Example:
Will you pay cash or charge the purchase?
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
pay (give money, usually in exchange for goods or services)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something to somebody
Somebody ----s something PP
Antonym:
pay cash (pay (for something) with cash)
Derivation:
charge (request for payment of a debt)
Sense 21
Meaning:
Demand payment
Example:
We were billed for 4 nights in the hotel, although we stayed only 3 nights
Synonyms:
bill; charge
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
account; calculate (keep an account of)
Verb group:
charge (enter a certain amount as a charge)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
invoice (send an bill to)
surcharge (charge an extra fee, as for a special service)
undercharge (charge (someone) too little money)
assess (charge (a person or a property) with a payment, such as a tax or a fine)
tithe (exact a tithe from)
impose; levy (impose and collect)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody something
Derivation:
charge (request for payment of a debt)
charge (the price charged for some article or service)
Sense 22
Meaning:
Enter a certain amount as a charge
Example:
he charged me $15
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
debit (enter as debit)
Verb group:
bill; charge (demand payment)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something to somebody
Derivation:
charge (request for payment of a debt)
charge (the price charged for some article or service)
charge (financial liabilities (such as a tax))
Sense 23
Meaning:
Give over to another for care or safekeeping
Example:
consign your baggage
Synonyms:
charge; consign
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
commit; confide; entrust; intrust; trust (confer a trust upon)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
pledge (give as a guarantee)
hock; pawn; soak (leave as a guarantee in return for money)
check (hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping)
check (consign for shipment on a vehicle)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something to somebody
Derivation:
charge (a person committed to your care)
Sense 24
Meaning:
Cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution
Example:
he was committed to prison
Synonyms:
charge; commit; institutionalise; institutionalize; send
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Hypernyms (to "charge" is one way to...):
transfer (move from one place to another)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
hospitalise; hospitalize (admit into a hospital)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody PP
Sense 25
Meaning:
Assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to
Example:
She was charged with supervising the creation of a concordance
Synonyms:
appoint; charge
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "charge"):
assign; delegate; depute; designate (give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person))
depute; deputise; deputize (appoint as a substitute)
make; name; nominate (charge with a function; charge to be)
authorise; authorize; empower (give or delegate power or authority to)
accredit (provide or send (envoys or embassadors) with official credentials)
create (invest with a new title, office, or rank)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody something
Sentence example:
They charge him to write the letter
Derivation:
charge (a special assignment that is given to a person or group)
charge (attention and management implying responsibility for safety)
charge (a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something)
charge (a person committed to your care)
Context examples:
There is no one in charge of the box.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
“You are Maud Brewster,” I said slowly and with certainty, almost as though I were charging her with a crime.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
"It is charged," Ugh-Gluk said ominously, "that thou dealest with evil spirits, wherefore thy hunting is rewarded."
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
But when he was thus separated from his fellows, two or three of the younger bulls would charge back upon Buck and enable the wounded bull to rejoin the herd.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
Such a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
On being charged with the fact, the poor girl confirmed the suspicion in a great measure by her extreme confusion of manner.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
The person(s) in charge of a clinical trial or a scientific research grant.
(PI, NCI Dictionary)
A single unit of electromagnetic radiation, generally considered to be a discrete particle having no mass or charge.
(Photon, NCI Thesaurus)
An instrument that uses electric fields to propel charged particles to high speeds and energies.
(Particle Accelerator, NCI Thesaurus)
An elementary particle with 0 charge and a mass about equal to that of a proton.
(Neutron, NCI Thesaurus)
