Caritas
/ˈkærɪtæs/noun
A Latin term for generous, self-giving love, especially Christian charity.
Did you know?In the Latin Vulgate Bible, caritas was used to translate the Greek agapē, helping establish the Christian theological idea of love as a spiritual virtue rather than mere desire.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Italic, before 500 BCE
Proto-Italic
*karos
“Dear or valued; the reconstructed ancestor of Latin carus, though its deeper Indo-European origin is uncertain.”
Classical Latin, 1st century BCE–1st century CE
Latin
carus
“Dear, beloved, precious, or costly.”
Classical Latin, 1st century BCE–1st century CE
Latin
caritas
“De a rness, esteem, affection, or love; formed from carus with the abstract noun suffix -itas.”
4th century CE
Late Latin
caritas
“Christian love or charity, especially love directed toward God and other people.”
12th–13th century
Old French
charité
“Christian charity or love; a descendant of Latin caritas.”
Modern English
English
caritas
“A theological or literary term for selfless Christian love, often contrasted with erotic or romantic love.”