alms

• POS: Noun Plural

CIDE DICTIONARY

alms, n. sing. & pl. [OE. almes, almesse, AS. ælmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. 'elehmosy`nh mercy, charity, alms, fr. 'eleei^n to pity. Cf. Almonry, Eleemosynary.].

 Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing; a gift of charity.  [1913 Webster]
" This word alms is singular in its form (almesse), and is sometimes so used; as, “asked an alms.” Acts iii. 3. “Received an alms.” Shak. It is now, however, commonly a collective or plural noun. It is much used in composition, as almsgiver, almsgiving, alms bag, alms chest, etc."  [1913 Webster]
"A devout man . . . which gave much alms to the people."  [1913 Webster]
"Alms are but the vehicles of prayer."  [1913 Webster]

Tenure by free alms. See Frankalmoign. Blackstone.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

alms, n.pl. hist. the charitable donation of money or food to the poor.

Etymology

OE {aelig}lmysse, -messe, f. Gmc ult. f. Gk eleemosune compassionateness f. eleemon (adj.) f. eleos compassion

ROGET THESAURUS

alms

Giving

N giving, bestowal, bestowment, donation, presentation, presentment, accordance, concession, delivery, consignment, dispensation, communication, endowment, investment, investiture, award, almsgiving, charity, liberality, generosity, gift, donation, present, cadeau, fairing, free gift, boon, favor, benefaction, grant, offering, oblation, sacrifice, immolation, lagniappe, pilon, grace, act of grace, bonus, allowance, contribution, subscription, subsidy, tribute, subvention, bequest, legacy, devise, will, dotation, dot, appanage, voluntary settlement, voluntary conveyance, amortization, alms, largess, bounty, dole, sportule, donative, help, oblation, offertory, honorarium, gratuity, Peter pence, sportula, Christmas box, Easter offering, vail, douceur, drink money, pourboire, trinkgeld, bakshish, fee, consideration, bribe, bait, ground bait, peace offering, handsel, boodle, graft, grease, blat, giver, grantor, donor, feoffer, settlor, giving, given, allowed, allowable, concessional, communicable, charitable, eleemosynary, sportulary, tributary, gratis, donative, auctor pretiosa facit, ex dono, res est ingeniosa dare.