Alms

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ɑːmz/
• US IPA: /É‘mz/, /É‘lmz/
• Rhymes: -ɑːmz

Origin

From Old English ælmesse, from Ancient Greek ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosynē, "alms"), from ἐλεέω (eleëō, "I have mercy"), from ἔλεος (eleos, "mercy").

Correction: Greek: ελεημοσύνη, ελεω, ελεος

Full definition of alms

Noun

1. Something given to the poor as charity, such as money, clothing or food.She gave $10 weekly to the poor as alms.Alms are distributed from the weekly collection for the purpose.
• c. 1779, Alban Butler, St. Antoninus never refused an alms which was asked in the name of God.

Related terms

• eleemosynary

Anagrams

• AMSL, lams, mals, slam