alms

[ ahmz ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. money, food, or other donations given to people in need; anything given as charity:

   She showed her generosity by giving alms regularly.

alms

/ ɑːmz /

plural noun

1. charitable donations of money or goods to the poor or needy

Word History and Origins

Origin of alms¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English almes, almesse, Old English ælmesse (compare Old Saxon alamōsna, Old High German alamuosa, Dutch aalmoes; Old Spanish almosna ), ultimately derived from Late Latin eleēmosyna, from Greek eleēmosýnē “compassion, alms,” derivative of éleos “pity”; eleemosynary

Word History and Origins

Origin of alms¹

Old English ælmysse, from Late Latin eleēmosyna, from Greek eleēmosunē pity; see eleemosynary

Example Sentences

Another piece might cause people to come up short is an elaborate green Burmese Buddhist alms bowl on a stand covered in gold.

From The Daily Beast

“You can't give alms to the poor on one level and have your hands on their throat on another,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

A beggar asking alms under the character of a poor scholar, a gentleman put the question, Quomodo vales?

From Project Gutenberg

But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth.

From Project Gutenberg

To such a one he would say, 'Wilt thou cease to beg alms of Me in such a shameless manner?

From Project Gutenberg

The surplus was distributed in alms amongst the poor, a duty strenuously prescribed by their moral code.

From Project Gutenberg

In point of fact, prayers are spoken of as if they were equivalent to sacrifice, alms-giving, or any other supposed virtue.

From Project Gutenberg