- charge
- early 13c., from O.Fr. chargier "load, burden," from L.L. carricare "to load a wagon, cart," from L. carrus "wagon" (see car). Meaning "responsibility, burden" is mid-14c. (cf. take charge, late 14c.; in charge, 1510s), which progressed to "pecuniary burden, cost" (mid-15c.), and then to "price demanded for service or goods" (1510s). Legal sense of "accusation" is late 15c.; earlier "injunction, order" (late 14c.). Sense of "rush in to attack" is 1560s, perhaps through earlier meaning of "load a weapon" (1540s). Electrical sense is from 1767. Slang meaning "thrill, kick" (Amer.Eng.) is from 1951. Chargé d'affairs was borrowed from French, 1767.