Definition of alms
alms
1 : something (such as money or food) given freely to relieve the poor distributing alms to the needy
2 archaic : charity
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of alms
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
First Known Use: before 12th century
ALMS Defined for English Language Learners
alms
playDefinition of alms for English Language Learners
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: money, clothes, food, and other things given to poor people
ALMS Defined for Kids
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See words that rhyme with alms Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for alms Spanish Central: Translation of alms Nglish: Translation of alms for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of alms for Arabic speakers
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