n. sing. & pl. [ OE. almes, almesse, AS. ælmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. 'elehmosy`nh mercy, charity, alms, fr. 'eleei^n to pity. Cf. Almonry, Eleemosynary. ] Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing; a gift of charity. [ 1913 Webster ]

A devout man . . . which gave much alms to the people. Acts x. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

Alms are but the vehicles of prayer. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tenure by free alms. See Frankalmoign. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An act of charity. Acts ix. 36. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Persons supported by alms; almsmen. [ Archaic ] Holinshed. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A giver of alms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The giving of alms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A house appropriated for the use of the poor; a poorhouse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; fem. Almswoman. 1. A recipient of alms. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A giver of alms. [ R. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]