almswoman

American  

[ahmz-woom-uhn] / ˈɑmzˌwʊm ən /

noun

almswomen plural

1. a woman supported by alms.

2. Archaic. a woman who gives alms.

---

almswoman British  

/ ˈɑːmzwʊmən /

noun

1. archaic a woman who gives or receives alms

---

Gender

Is it almswoman or almsperson? See -woman.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• almswomen
  plural

Etymology

Origin of almswoman

First recorded in 1400–50; alms + woman

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

almswoman almswomen

"But, sir," says one poor woman, "I am a poor almswoman, and am kept by the parish; and your bills say you give the poor your help for nothing."

From History of the Plague in London by Defoe, Daniel

In front of the modest doors of the chambers inhabited by almsmen and almswomen runs a tiny cloister with oak pillars, so that the inmates may visit one another dryshod in any weather.

From Vanishing England by Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson)

Originally built for twelve almsmen and almswomen, they have been latterly occupied entirely by women.

From Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney The Fascination of London by Besant, Walter, Sir

It was formerly a nunnery, but in 1229 the nuns departed and the almswomen took their place.

From Vanishing England by Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson)