almswoman

American  

[ahmz-woom-uhn] / ˈɑmzˌwʊm ən /

noun

plural

almswomen

1. a woman supported by alms.

2. Archaic. a woman who gives alms.

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almswoman British  

/ ˈɑːmzwʊmən /

noun

1. archaic a woman who gives or receives alms

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Gender

Is it almswoman or almsperson? See -woman.

Etymology

Origin of almswoman

First recorded in 1400–50; alms + woman

Example Sentences

"But, sir," says one poor woman, "I am a poor almswoman, and am kept by the parish; and your bills say you give the poor your help for nothing."

From History of the Plague in London by Defoe, Daniel