alms

[ ahmz ]

See synonyms for alms on Thesaurus.com

noun(used with a singular or plural verb)

money, food, or other donations given to people in need; anything given as charity: She showed her generosity by giving alms regularly.

Origin of alms

First recorded before 1000; Middle English almes, almesse, Old English ælmesse (compare Old Saxon alamōsna, Old High German alamuosa, Dutch aalmoes; Old Spanish almosna ), ultimately derived from Late Latin eleēmosyna, from Greek eleēmosýnē “compassion, alms,” derivative of éleos “pity”; see eleemosynary

Words that may be confused with alms

alms , arms

Words Nearby alms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alms in a sentence

Another piece might cause people to come up short is an elaborate green Burmese Buddhist alms bowl on a stand covered in gold.
Hello, ‘Gorgeous’: Grit and Glamour In San Francisco | Emily Wilson | June 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“You can't give alms to the poor on one level and have your hands on their throat on another,” he said.
The Clinton Global Initiative Kicks off With Tears, Impressions, and Fighting Words | Nina Strochlic | September 24, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
A beggar asking alms under the character of a poor scholar, a gentleman put the question, Quomodo vales?
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various
But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
To such a one he would say, 'Wilt thou cease to beg alms of Me in such a shameless manner?
Black Diamonds | Mr Jkai

The surplus was distributed in alms amongst the poor, a duty strenuously prescribed by their moral code.
Ancient Faiths And Modern | Thomas Inman
In point of fact, prayers are spoken of as if they were equivalent to sacrifice, alms-giving, or any other supposed virtue.
Ancient Faiths And Modern | Thomas Inman

British Dictionary definitions for alms

alms

/ (ɑːmz) /

pl n

charitable donations of money or goods to the poor or needy

Origin of alms

Old English ælmysse, from Late Latin eleēmosyna, from Greek eleēmosunē pity; see eleemosynary

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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