| 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 ] A devout man . . . which gave much alms to the people. Acts x. 2. [ 1913 Webster ] Alms are but the vehicles of prayer. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
Tenure by free alms. See Frankalmoign. Blackstone. [ 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 ] |
