Al"mon*er (&?;), n. [OE. aumener, aulmener, OF. almosnier, aumosnier, F. aumônier, fr. OF. almosne, alms, L. eleemosyna. See Alms.] One who distributes alms, esp. the doles and alms of religious houses, almshouses, etc.; also, one who dispenses alms for another, as the almoner of a prince, bishop, etc.
Al"mon*er*ship, n. The office of an almoner.
Al"mon*ry (&?;), n.; pl. Almonries (&?;). [OF. aumosnerie, F. aumônerie, fr. OF. aumosnier. See Almoner.] The place where an almoner resides, or where alms are distributed.
Al"mose (&?;), n. Alms. [Obs.] Cheke.
Al"most (&?;), adv. [AS. ealmæst, ælmæst, quite the most, almost all; eal (OE. al) all + m&?;st most.] Nearly; well nigh; all but; for the greatest part.
Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Acts xxvi. 28.
Almost never, scarcely ever. -- Almost nothing, scarcely anything.