Charity

Old French charité, from Latin caritas — love, esteem. In early Christian usage it referred to the highest form of love — love of God and neighbor — before narrowing to mean giving money to the poor.

Descended from theological virtue to tax category. The gap between its origins (love) and its current function (giving away surplus) is a measure of what the word lost. Critics argue charity substitutes for structural justice; defenders argue it fills gaps the state won't.