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

The teashop occupies a medieval building that was, for centuries, an alms house.

From BBC

In Cambodia, novice monks wearing saffron robes joined elders seeking alms.

From Seattle Times

The royal cohort also carried with them gold-lined chests filled with silver and gold pieces to distribute as alms, cash worth thousands of rupees and 12,000 "dresses of honour".

From BBC

The humble vagabond’s pose while asking for alms conjures these and countless other hand-in-jacket portraits of emperors, gentlemen, generals and eminent leaders, especially from the 17th and 18th centuries.

From Los Angeles Times

Should you give solace to the meek, alms to the poor, comfort the shunned people Jesus surrounded himself with and advocated for again and again?

From Los Angeles Times