See Also: alms(dictionary)
alms(dictionary)
ALMS(law)

alms (iou)



alms noun. [¨»:mz] Also almose, (Scot. & dial.) almous, (Scot.) awmous.

Charitable relief of the poor, orig. and esp. as a religious duty. As a count noun (infl. pl. long obsolete): sing. a charitable donation, pl. things given in charity. OE.
do alms, make alms, work alms, etc give alms, bestow alms, etc.
Addison A Beggar Man that had asked an Alms of him. W. S. Maugham Her nuns lived entirely upon alms. W. de la Mare This chance-come outcast had Asked for alms a crust of bread.
A good deed; a charity. Often iron. Latterly Scot. OE-E19.
R. Sanderson If he be hungry, it is alms to feed him.
= ALMOIGN 2. OE.
free alms = FRANKALMOIGN.
Comb.: alms-deed arch. (a) an act of almsgiving, a charitable deed; (b) the practice of almsgiving; almsfee Hist. Peter's pence, Rome-scot; almsfolk people supported by alms; almsgiver a person who gives alms; almsgiving the giving of alms; almshouse (a) a house founded by charity for the reception or support of the poor; (b) a house belonging to a monastery where alms and hospitality were dispensed; almsman (a) a person supported by alms; (b) arch. an almsgiver; almswoman a woman supported by alms.