char·i·ta·ble (ch r  -t -bl)adj. 1. Generous in giving money or other help to the needy. 2. Mild or tolerant in judging others; lenient. 3. Of, for, or concerned with charity: a charitable organization. See Synonyms at benevolent. char i·ta·ble·ness n.char i·ta·bly adv. |
Charitableness
cast one’s bread upon the waters To act charitably or generously without thought of return or personal profit. The reference is to Ecclesiastes 11:1:
Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.
sprout wings To do an act of charity; to perform a good deed. This expression is based on the conventional depiction of angels as winged beings. It is usually used jocularly to suggest that one is progressing toward a more angelic nature. The expression is occasionally extended to mean death, perhaps as an assumption that those bound for eternal bliss develop the wings of angels.
widow’s mite A small amount of money, especially a small contribution that represents a great sacrifice from one with limited financial resources. This expression is Biblical in origin, mite referring to a coin of very little value, less than an eighth of a penny.
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. … [And Christ said] this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12:42-44)
A commonly used variation is mite.
| Noun | 1. | charitableness - generosity as manifested by practicing charity (as for the poor or unfortunate) generosity, generousness - the trait of being willing to give your money or time |
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