CHARGE (through the Fr. from the

See also:

• LATE

Late

See also:

• LAT

Lat. carricare, to load in a carrus or

See also:

• WAGON, or WAGGON

wagon; cf. "

See also:

• CARGO (Span. for " loading," from Lat. carries, car)

cargo ")  , a load; from this, its primary meaning, also seen in the word " charger," a large dish, come the uses of the word for the powder and shot to load a fire-arm, the accumulation of electricity in a battery, the necessary quantity of dynamite or other explosive in blasting, and a device borne on an escutcheon in heraldry . " Charge " can thus mean a burden, and so a care or duty laid upon one, as in " to be in charge " of another . With a transference to that which lays such a duty on another, " charge " is used of the instructions given by a judge to a jury, or by a bishop to the clergy of his diocese . In the special sense of a pecuniary burden the word is used of the price of goods, of an encumbrance on property, and of the expenses of running a business . Further uses of the word are of the violent, rushing attack of cavalry, or of a bull or elephant, or football player; hence " charger " is a horse ridden in a charge, or more loosely a horse ridden by an officer, whether of infantry or cavalry .