Alms
Alms (amz) , noun, singular and plural
[Old English almes, almesse, Anglo-Saxon almysse, from Latin eleemosyna, Greek 'elehmosy`nh mercy, charity, alms, from 'eleei^n to pity. Compare Almonry, Eleemosynary.]
Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing; a gift of charity.
A devout man... which gave much alms to the people.
Alms are but the vehicles of prayer.
Collocations (1)
Tenure by free alms , See Frankalmoign. — Blackstone
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.