alms

[ahmz]

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. money, food, or other donations given to people in need; anything given as charity.

   She showed her generosity by giving alms regularly.

alms

/ ɑːmz /

plural noun

1. charitable donations of money or goods to the poor or needy

Word History and Origins

Origin of alms¹

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”; eleemosynary

Word History and Origins

Origin of alms¹

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