Alms (&?;), n. sing. & pl. [OE. almes, almesse, AS. ælmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. &?; mercy, charity, alms, fr. &?; to pity. Cf. 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.
Acts x. 2.
Alms are but the vehicles of prayer.
Dryden.
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.
Alms"deed` (&?;), n. An act of charity. Acts ix. 36.
Alms"folk` (&?;), n. Persons supported by alms; almsmen. [Archaic] Holinshed.
Alms"giv`er (&?;), n. A giver of alms.
Alms"giv`ing (&?;), n. The giving of alms.
Alms"house` (&?;), n. A house appropriated for the use of the poor; a poorhouse.
Alms"man (&?;), n.; fem. Almswoman. 1. A recipient of alms. Shak.