Alma

[al-muh; for 1 also French al-mah]

noun

a town in SE Quebec, in SE Canada.
a female given name: from a Latin word meaning “kind.”

almah

[al-muh]

noun

(in Egypt) a woman or girl who dances or sings professionally.

Also al·ma, alme, almeh.

Origin of almah

< Egyptian Arabic ʿalmah, variant of Arabic ʿālimah literally, knowledgeable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for alma

Contemporary Examples of alma

During his early attempts to become a director, he met Alma Reville, an English girl just one day younger than himself.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014
In 1945 or 1946, Hitch and Alma were in New York with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman, on a publicity tour.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014
Alma had admired them during a stay in Paris some years ago.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014
When the screening was over, Hitch asked Alma what she thought.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014
Since he doesn't have to impress me, it's clearly a little show for Alma.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014

Historical Examples of alma

She described her reception to Harry Lossing and Alma, later.
Stories of a Western Town
Octave Thanet
"What's best for her is the only question, of course," said Alma, helping Harry off the field.
Stories of a Western Town
Octave Thanet
Of course Alma was the chief spokeswoman at these whispered conferences.
The Woman Thou Gavest Me
Hall Caine
Alma would be different, I should be different, above all my husband would be different.
The Woman Thou Gavest Me
Hall Caine
I only knew that Alma had called herself my friend and promised to take care of me.
The Woman Thou Gavest Me
Hall Caine

Word Origin and History for alma

Alma

fem. proper name, from Latin Alma "nourishing," fem. of almus; from alere "to nourish" (see old).

almah

Egyptian dancing-girl, belly-dancer, 1814, perhaps from Arabic almah (fem. adjective), "learned, knowing," from alama "to know." Or perhaps from a Semitic root meaning "girl" (cf. Hebrew alma "a young girl, a damsel").