‖ charta
(ˈkɑːtə)
[L. charta, carta papyrus, a leaf of papyrus, paper, a paper, writing, document, ad. Gr. χάρτης a leaf of papyrus or paper. The common med.L. for legal writing, charter.]
† 1. In OE. form carta: Paper, letter. (Later only as Latin.) Obs.
| c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 202 Alecᵹe ða sealfe on hatne claþ oððe cartan. c 1000 Nicod. xx, Hiᵹ hym tosendon ane cartan, seo wæs þus awriten. |
2. A charter. Also used fig.
| 1698 Norris Treat. Sev. Subj. 329 The Divine Law, which is her Original Charta. 1851 Mrs. Browning Casa Guidi Wind. line 532 And if, ne'ertheless That good day's sun delivered to the vines No charta. |
b. esp. in Magna Charta, the Great Charter of English Liberties.