almoner

American  

[al-muh-ner, ah-muh-] / ˈæl mə nər, ˈɑ mə- /

noun

1. a person whose function or duty is the distribution of alms on behalf of an institution, a royal personage, a monastery, etc.

2. British.

   1. a hospital official who determines the amount due for a patient's treatment.

   2. a social worker in a hospital.

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almoner British  

/ ˈɑːmənə /

noun

1. obsolete a trained hospital social worker responsible for the welfare of patients

2. (formerly) a person who distributes alms or charity on behalf of a household or institution

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Other Word Forms

• subalmoner noun

Etymology

Origin of almoner

1250–1300; Middle English almoiner, aumoner (with insertion of l under influence of alms ) < Old French aumon ( i ) er ≪ Late Latin eleēmosynārius eleemosynary

Example Sentences

But the letters went to Rome, and in April 2020, the pope sent money and food to Blessed Virgin through Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, the official dispenser of Francis’s philanthropy.

From Washington Post • Sep. 9, 2022

They reached out to the pope through Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, who is responsible for charitable work done in the name of pope.

From Fox News • May 1, 2020

The visit was organized by the pope's almoner Bishop Konrad Krajewski, who earlier this year started organizing showers and shaves in St. Peter's Square for people who live rough.

From Reuters • Mar. 26, 2015

Though the office of the papal almoner dates to the 12th century, Papal Blessings on parchment began to be issued only about 100 years ago under Pope Leo XIII.

From New York Times • Oct. 1, 2014

The next day, 287 the 23rd, they commissioned M. de Mont�cute, her almoner and confessor, to break the news to her, and prepare her for the terrible operation.

From The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria by Tremayne, Eleanor E.