an impetuous rush toward someone or something; the wrestler's charge carried him past his adversary; the battle began with a cavalry charge'
the swift release of a store of affective force; they got a great bang out of it; what a boot!; he got a quick rush from injecting heroin; he does it for kicks
request for payment of a debt; they submitted their charges at the end of each month
[ Syn: billing ]
a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something; the judges charge to the jury
[ Syn: commission , direction ]
an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence; the newspaper published charges that Jones was guilty of drunken driving
[ Syn: accusation ]
heraldry consisting of a design or image depicted on a shield
[ Syn: bearing , heraldic bearing , armorial bearing ]
a quantity of explosive to be set off at one time; this cartridge has a powder charge of 50 grains
[ Syn: burster , bursting charge , explosive charge ]
(criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense; he was arrested on a charge of larceny
[ Syn: complaint ]
the price charged for some article or service; the admission charge'
the quantity of unbalanced electricity in a body (either positive or negative) and construed as an excess or deficiency of electrons; the battery needed a fresh charge
[ Syn: electric charge ]
attention and management implying responsibility for safety; he is in the care of a bodyguard
[ Syn: care , tutelage , guardianship ]
a special assignment that is given to a person or group; a confidential mission to London; his charge was deliver a message
[ Syn: mission , commission ]
a person committed to your care; the teacher led her charges across the street'
financial liabilities (such as a tax); the charges against the estate'
(psychoanalysis) the libidinal energy invested in some idea or person or object; Freud thought of cathexis as a psychic analog of an electrical charge
[ Syn: cathexis ]
charge (n.)
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle; he saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork
[ Syn: bear down ]
cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution; After the second episode, she had to be committed; he was committed to prison
[ Syn: commit , institutionalize , institutionalise , send ]
give over to another for care or safekeeping; consign your baggage
[ Syn: consign ]
pay with a credit card; pay with plastic money; postpone payment by recording a purchase as a debt; Will you pay cash or charge the purchase?'
lie down on command, of hunting dogs
cause to be agitated, excited, or roused; The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks
[ Syn: agitate , rouse , turn on , commove , excite , charge up ]
place a heraldic bearing on; charge all weapons, shields, and banners'
provide (a device) with something necessary; He loaded his gun carefully; load the camera
[ Syn: load ]
direct into a position for use; point a gun; He charged his weapon at me
impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to; He charged her with cleaning up all the files over the weekend
instruct (a jury) about the law, its application, and the weighing of evidence
blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against; he charged the director with indifference
[ Syn: accuse ]
instruct or command with authority; The teacher charged the children to memorize the poem'
attribute responsibility to; We blamed the accident on her; The tragedy was charged to her inexperience
[ Syn: blame ]
set or ask for a certain price; How much do you charge for lunch?; This fellow charges $100 for a massage'
cause formation of a net electrical charge in or on; charge a conductor'
energize a battery by passing a current through it in the direction opposite to discharge; I need to charge my car battery'
saturate; The room was charged with tension and anxiety'
demand payment; Will I get charged for this service?; We were billed for 4 nights in the hotel, although we stayed only 3 nights
[ Syn: bill ]
move quickly and violently; The car tore down the street; He came charging into my office
[ Syn: tear , shoot , shoot down , buck ]
assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to; He was appointed deputy manager; She was charged with supervising the creation of a concordance
[ Syn: appoint ]
file a formal charge against; The suspect was charged with murdering his wife
make an accusatory claim; The defense attorney charged that the jurors were biased'
fill or load to capacity; charge the wagon with hay'
enter a certain amount as a charge; he charged me $15'