Defn: 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.
Tenure by free alms. See Frankalmoign. Blackstone.
Note: 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.
ALMSDEED
Alms"deed`, n.
Defn: An act of charity. Acts ix. 36.
ALMSFOLK
Alms"folk`, n.
Defn: Persons supported by alms; almsmen. [Archaic] Holinshed.
ALMSGIVER
Alms"giv`er, n.
Defn: A giver of alms.
ALMSGIVING
Alms"giv`ing, n.
Defn: The giving of alms.