alms Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun money or goods contributed to the poor

WordNet

Alms noun singular & plural
Etymology
OE. almes, almesse, AS. ælmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. mercy, charity, alms, fr. to pity. Cf. Almonry, Eleemosynary.
Definitions
  1. Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing; a gift of charity.
    A devout man . . . which gave much alms to the people. Acts x. 2.
    Alms are but the vehicles of prayer. Dryden.
    Blackstone. ✍ This word alms is singular in its form (almesse), and is sometimes so used; as, "asked an alms." Acts iii. 3."Received an alms." Shak. It is now, however, commonly a collective or plural noun. It is much used in composition, as almsgiver, almsgiving, alms bag, alms chest, etc.

Webster 1913