Main Entry:

alms

Pronunciation:

\ˈä(l)mz\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural alms

Etymology:

Middle English almesse, almes, from Old English ælmesse, ælmes, from Late Latin eleemosyna alms, from Greek eleēmosynē pity, alms, from eleēmōn merciful, from eleos pity

Date:

before 12th century

1archaic : charity2: something (as money or food) given freely to relieve the poor

— alms·giv·er \-ˌgi-vər\ noun

— alms·giv·ing \-ˌgi-viŋ\ noun