magna charta Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the royal charter of political rights given to rebellious English barons by King John in 1215
    The Great Charter; Magna Carta.

WordNet

Mag"na Char"ta
Etymology
L., great charter.
Definitions
  1. The great Charter, so called, obtained by the English barons from King John, A. D. 1215. This name is also given to the charter granted to the people of England in the ninth year of Henry III., and confirmed by Edward I.
  2. Hence, a fundamental constitution which guaranties rights and privileges.

Webster 1913