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单词 alms
释义

almsn.

Brit. /ɑːmz/, U.S. /ɑ(l)mz/
Forms:

α. early Old English aelmesse, Old English ællmessa (Northumbrian), Old English aellmisa (Northumbrian, accusative), Old English ællmissa (Northumbrian, accusative), Old English ælmæs- (in compounds), Old English ælmæsse, Old English ælmese (rare), Old English ælmessa (rare), Old English ælmessæ (rare), Old English ælmesse (accusative), Old English ælmis- (in compounds), Old English ælmiso (Northumbrian, inflected form), Old English ælmisse (Anglian, accusative), Old English ælmisse, Old English aelmisum (Northumbrian, dative plural), Old English ælmys- (in compounds), Old English ælmyss, Old English allmissa (Northumbrian, accusative), Old English almessa (Northumbrian, accusative), Old English almesse (Northumbrian, accusative), Old English elmes- (in compounds), Old English elmysse (rare), Old English (Northumbrian) Middle English–1600s almes, Old English–early Middle English ælmes, Old English–early Middle English ælmesse, Old English–early Middle English ælmysse, Old English (rare)–early Middle English (south-west midlands) ealmesse, Old English–Middle English elmesse, late Old English elmess- (inflected form), early Middle English allmess ( Ormulum), early Middle English almisse, early Middle English ealmes- (in compounds), early Middle English elmas- (south-west midlands, in compounds), early Middle English elmisse (south-west midlands), early Middle English (probably transmission error) 1600s alme, Middle English alemesse, Middle English allemesse, Middle English allmesse, Middle English almasse, Middle English almeis, Middle English almese, Middle English almess, Middle English almis, Middle English almys, Middle English almyss, Middle English almysse, Middle English elmes, Middle English elmys (north-west midlands), Middle English helmes, Middle English 1600s almas, Middle English–1500s almesse, Middle English–1500s halmes, Middle English–1600s allms, 1500s allmes, 1500s almoys, 1500s– alms, 1600s–1700s alm's- (in compounds), 1600s– alm (rare and nonstandard); English regional 1800s almes, 1800s– omes (Devon); Scottish pre-1700 allmes, pre-1700 almes, pre-1700 almess, pre-1700 almis, pre-1700 1700s– alms, 1700s alm's- (in compounds); N.E.D. (1884) also records a form early Middle English ælmisse.

β. late Middle English amesse, 1500s awmese; Scottish pre-1700 amas (Orkney), 1700s 1900s– amis (Orkney), 1900s– aamis (Shetland), 1900s– awmis (Shetland), 1900s– awms.

Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymons: Latin *alimosina, elimosina.
Etymology: < an unattested post-classical Latin form *alimosina, variant or alteration (due perhaps to semantic association with classical Latin alimōnia alimony n.) of post-classical Latin elimosina, elemosina, eleemosyna charitable giving, charitable gift, benefaction (late 2nd or early 3rd cent. in Tertullian; Vulgate), pity, compassion (8th cent.), grant of land in support of the church, freehold tenure by an ecclesiastical institution, (also) frankalmoign (early 8th cent. in a lost charter, first half of 9th cent. (frequently from 12th cent.) in British sources; from 12th cent. in continental sources) < Hellenistic Greek ἐλεημοσύνη pity, mercy, also charity, alms (Septuagint, New Testament) < ancient Greek ἐλεήμων compassionate, merciful ( < ἐλεεῖν to have pity on (ἔλεος compassion, mercy, of unknown origin) + -μων, suffix forming adjectives) + -συνη, suffix forming nouns. Similar, or perhaps shared, borrowing is shown by forms in other West Germanic languages: Old Frisian elmisse, ielmisse, Middle Dutch aelmoesene, aelmosene, aelmosne, alemoesene (Dutch aalmoes), Old Saxon alamōsna (Middle Low German almisse, ālmisse, alemisse, almōse), Old High German alamuosa, alamuosan (Middle High German almuose, almose, almusene, almuosen, German Almosen). Borrowing from forms in West Germanic languages is probably shown by Old Icelandic almusa, ǫlmusa, Norwegian (Nynorsk) olmose, Old Swedish almosa, almusa (Swedish allmosa), Old Danish almose, almuse, and ( < Middle Low German) Norwegian almisse, Danish almisse. A similar variant is apparently also reflected by a number of the forms in Romance languages: compare Anglo-Norman almoigne, almoisne, Anglo-Norman and Old French almosne (10th cent.; French aumône), Old Occitan almoina, Catalan almoina (13th cent.), Spanish almosna, †alimosna, (now usually) limosna (13th cent.), Italian limosina (12th cent.; now usually elemosina); also Portuguese esmola (13th cent.). Compare also forms in Celtic languages: Early Irish almsan, Welsh †alusen, †alwysen, Middle Cornish alusyen, alusyon, Middle Breton alusen, aluson.Inflection and later form history. (See separate note below on the many difficulties concerning the early form history.) In Old English the word is usually a weak feminine (ælmesse ), but inflection as a strong feminine (ælmes ) is also attested; there is a parallel to this inflectional pattern e.g. in Old High German. In Old English the word has a regular weak plural (nominative and accusative) ælmessan ; a strong genitive plural ælmessa is also attested. In Middle English, beside early weak plurals such as almessen , plurals in -s , such as almesses , are well attested, and these survive in early modern English (see sense 1b(a)). However, apparently the stem-final -s of alms was increasingly reanalysed as a plural ending, which led first to the disuse of explicit plural inflection and later to the obsolescence of the use as a count noun in the singular (see sense 1b(b)). An inferred singular alm , alme is occasionally attested from the early 17th cent. onwards (see sense 1b(d), and compare β. forms at almshouse n.); the following may perhaps show a much earlier example, but is more likely to be a scribal error (the same manuscript gives attestations of plural almesses , and the compound almesdeden ):a1275 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 49 Messes lete we singen & alme don [c1275 Calig. almesdede don, ?a1300 Digby almese don].Compare also almous n., almose n., and almoign n. Early form history. The widely divergent forms of the loanword in different Germanic languages are apparently due to the adoption of different stress patterns and the consequent reduction or retention of vowels, dissimilation or assimilation of consonants, and popular etymology; it is also likely that the Latin or Romance input was already shaped by similar factors. The details of the phonology of the word in Old English are uncertain and disputed. The word apparently shows the effect of some sound changes in Old English, but not such as would indicate a loan of the earliest period. Thus, depending on whether an antecedent *alimosin- or *almosin- (with syncope in the second syllable of the Latin etymon) is assumed, the vowel æ has been explained as showing the result of i-mutation of short a or of double mutation of short a (due to i in the third syllable), but also as simple phonological substitution of æ for a . It has also been suggested that the vowel shows i-mutation of long a with subsequent shortening. Yet another suggestion is that the first syllable shows alteration after Old English æl-, the combining form of all adj. The latter hypothesis is supported by the fact that Old High German and Old Saxon seem to show a similar alteration. The second syllable of ælmesse , ælmes apparently originally retained a secondary stress in Old English, as shown by attestations in verse, and is usually assumed to show i-mutation of o (or of long ō , with subsequent shortening) due to the originally following i . The somewhat unusual degree of variation in this vowel found in Old English (i , y , and æ , beside e ) would then merely be due to loss of stress and reduction of the vowel. Similarly reduced forms are attested in Old Frisian, Middle Dutch, and Middle Low German; these have been tentatively explained as showing the influence of the cognates of mass n.1 However, the influence of Old English mæsse mass n.1 could only explain Old English forms in -mæss- , not in -miss- , -myss- . (The comparison made by N.E.D. (1884) of such forms with mynster minster n., mylen mill n.1 would imply earlier borrowing into English than is otherwise indicated.) Different explanations have also been offered for the development of geminate -ss- (subsequently simplified word-finally) and the apparent loss of -n-; they may be due to processes of assimilation and dissimilation. For a general summary of opinions see A. H. Feulner Die griechischen Lehnwörter im Altenglischen (2000) 61–3.
1. Charitable relief given to the poor or needy, usually (now only) in the form of material gifts, typically of money or food; (in later use esp.) the goods given in this way.Usually construed with do, make, etc., when denoting the action, and with give, bestow, etc., when denoting material gifts. [Compare post-classical Latin elemosynam dare, elemosynam facere (both in Vulgate), Anglo-Norman faire aumones (13th cent. or earlier).]
a. As a mass noun, or with indeterminate grammatical agreement.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving > that which is given in charity
almsOE
almosec1330
charity1362
almousc1390
pittancea1425
common dole1463
goodc1475
almoignc1480
God's penny1550
sportula1606
basket-dole1618
trencher-fee1652
basket-alms1660
sedekah1839
poke-out1874
handout1882
gate-alms1896
OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: Luke xii. 33 Uendite quae possidetis et date elemosynam : bebycgeð ðaðe gie agnegeð uel agon & seallas ælmisse.
OE Vercelli Homilies (1992) xxi. 352 He..sæde eac þæt man mid wæterdrinces sylene mihte him mycele ælmessan gedon.
OE Ælfric Homily: De Duodecim Abusivis (Corpus Cambr. 178) in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 300 On manegum wisum man mæg wyrcan ælmyssan, on æte & on wæte & on gewædum eac.
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 131 (MED) Ure gode dedes, on elmes and on oðre þinge.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 137 Al ðe almisse þe mon deð..alle þeo cwencheð sunnen and ernið sunbote.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 23 Hu miht þu don þine elmesse..þa hwile þu þeowest þire sunne?
a1300 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 1 (MED) To donde sunne awei fram him & fele almesse makie.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 17 Prede makeþ of elmesse zenne.
c1410 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Harl. 7334) (1885) l. 168 Hir hond [is] mynistre of fredom and almesse.
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 131 (MED) The kyng..ȝeueth leve to pore men..to gadre hem precyous stones & perles be weye of almess.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 111 Wil þu not do almis of oker & vsur; þat is, do not swilk defautis to do almis þerof.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (BL Add. 9066) (1879) 17 Tythes and oblacions and othere almese.
?1531 R. Barnes Supplic. Kinge Henrye VIII f. xciiij Youre eating, youre drinkyng, youre almes, youre prayers.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1312/2 The distributors of this almesse to the poore.
1607 S. Hieron Life & Death Dorcas in Wks. (1620) I. 389 As for examples, we haue..the free heartednesse of Cornelius, he gaue much almes.
1611 Bible (King James) Matt. vi. 1 Take heed that ye doe not your almes before men. View more context for this quotation
1683 E. Hooker in J. Pordage Theologia Mystica Pref. Epist. 56 To giv the Pettitoes in alms wil not..satisfi for stealing the Pig.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 6. ⁋2 The beggar disabled himself in his Right Leg, and asks Alms all Day.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. xviii. 2 A public mendicant..seeking alms.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. i. 202 Do you pity me? Then give me alms.
1889 Harper's Mag. Oct. 680 It is a beggar, who is modulating a prayer for alms.
1908 C. D. Cobham Excerpta Cypria 48 He asked from those who kept the vineyards a few grapes for the love of God. The alms was refused him.
1935 W. S. Maugham Don Fernando xi. 238 Her nuns lived entirely upon alms. They were to have no income, the Lord would provide.
1999 W. Sayers tr. H.-J. Stiker Hist. Disability iv. 77 Alms was not only the coin that one slid into the beggar's hand; often it rose to very substantial amounts.
2010 Ebony Feb. 66/3 The Five Pillars of Islam include a profession of belief in Allah, daily prayers, the giving of alms, [etc.].
b. As a count noun: an act of charity; (now more usually) a charitable donation, a gift of charity; (more generally) a benefaction.
†(a) In plural, with explicit plural inflection. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving > charitable actions
alms-deedOE
alms-workOE
almsOE
charity1612
OE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Corpus Oxf.) iii. iii. 160 To ælmessum [L. ad elimosynas] & to godra dæda fylignessum hi awęhte ge mid wordum ge mid dædum.
OE Ælfric Homily (Trin. Cambr. B.15.34) in J. C. Pope Homilies of Ælfric (1968) II. 555 Sum earm wudewe wearp ænne feorðling betwux oðrum mannum þe wurpon heora ælmyssan to ðam halgan weofode binnan Hierusalem.
a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 65 (MED) Ðurh masses and bienes and ælmesses ðe me doð for ðe.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 190 (MED) Ion þe amoner, þet was zuo ycleped uor þe greate elmesses þet he dede.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds x. 2 Doynge manye almessis [L. elemosynas] to the peple.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xv. l. 306 Þat Freres wolde forsake hir almesses.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 12 A good woman, wel named and charitable, that..gaue gret almesses, and uisited the sike.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. lxxixv/2 Comande ye to your sones that they doo rightwisnessis and almesses.
1620 W. Hart tr. F. de Croÿ Three Conformities i. lx. 124 The almesses of beanes, which are distributed after that the seruice for the dead is finished.
(b) In singular. Now chiefly archaic or literary.
ΚΠ
OE Will of Atheling Æðelstan (Sawyer 1503) in D. Whitelock Anglo-Saxon Wills (1930) 58 Sy æfre seo ælmesse gelæst gearhwamlice, age land se þe age, þa hwile þe Cristendom stande.
lOE Writ of Æðelred II, Winchester (Sawyer 946) in F. E. Harmer Anglo-Saxon Writs (1952) 395 Þa licode me swyðe wel seo gesetnesse & seo ælmesse þe minne yldran on angunne cristendomes into þere halgan stowe gesetten.
a1225 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Lamb.) l. 26 in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 161 (MED) Betere is an elmesse biforen þenne boð efter souene.
?a1425 (a1415) Lanterne of Liȝt (Harl.) (1917) 54 Almysdoars in þe fendis chirche feeden many wrecchis..þat neden not her good..& clepen it an almes.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope ii. xix. f. lijv An almesse that is done for vayne glorye, is not merited, but dismeryted.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Acts iii. A He desyred to receaue an almesse [1611 asked an almes].
1575 T. Churchyard 1st Pt. Chippes f. 65v I see some bring, from doells an empty cup Yet craues an almes, and shoes a needye hand.
1647 R. Herrick Almes in Noble Numbers 22 Give, if thou canst, an Almes; if not, afford, Instead of that, a sweet and gentle word.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires vi. 116 A Gypsie Jewess whispers in your Ear, And begs an Alms.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 269. ¶4 A Beggar Man that had asked an Alms of him.
1797 C. Lamb Let. 7 Apr. (1888) I. 75 A friend should never be reduced to beg an alms of his fellow.
1848 C. Kingsley Saint's Trag. ii. viii. 59 Every alms is a fresh badge of slavery.
1876 G. Meredith Beauchamp's Career I. xviii. 275 Like a cross between a postman delivering a bill and a beggar craving an alms, patiently he attempts the extraction of the vote.
1944 J. R. R. Tolkien Let. 7–8 Nov. (1995) 101 I could not resist the impulse of offering him a small alms, and he took it with grave kindliness.
1985 J. N. Tylenda tr. St. Ignatius of Loyola Pilgrim's Journey (2001) v. 104 The gentleman gave him an alms of fifteen or sixteen giulii and a piece of cloth.
2001 C. O'Driscoll Runner among Falling Leaves vi. 99 If you refused an alms to a beggar, for all you knew you might be refusing an angel.
(c) With plural agreement but without explicit inflection.
ΚΠ
1528 W. Tyndale That Fayth Mother of All Good Workes f. lvij Thy prayers and almes [1526 almeses] ar come vp in to remembraunce in the presens of God. (in the tenth Chapter of the Actes).
1571 T. Churchyard in W. Baldwin et al. Myrrour for Magistrates (rev. ed.) f. 168 When almes were delt [1563 almes was delt] I had an hungry share.
1608 Bp. J. Hall Pharisaisme & Christianity 72 Your alms are written in Church-windowes, your defraudings in the sand.
1687 J. Dryden Hind & Panther iii. 79 And alms are but the vehicles of pray'r.
1742 R. Manning Moral Entertainm. II. xxix. 136 When Alms are to be distributed, he is never out of the Way.
1767 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 190/1 Being Maundy Thursday, his Majesty's alms were distributed as usual to 29 poor men and women.
1843 J. Janin American in Paris xxxiv. 245 This royal house, which spread around it so many benefits and so many alms.
1854 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity I. ii. iv. 182 The alms of the devout..seem to have replaced in some degree the sportula of the wealthy.
1875 S. Moodie George Leatrim i. 17 The Sunday after Easter was the day Dr. Leatrim had always appointed for the distribution of these alms to the poor.
1932 J. Abbott Keys of Power v. 157 The coconuts are..broken in the name of the god to whom she is dedicated and alms are given to the poor.
1985 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) (Nexis) 6 Apr. He..said he wanted many alms to help some of his poor people who grew sugar.
2009 J. M. Dawsey Masters & Savages x. 80 In my city of Mali, there once was a beggar who lived day to day on whatever alms were given him.
(d) In singular. In form alm. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1609 P. Erondelle tr. M. Lescarbot Noua Francia ii. xxvi. 300 There be some..who doe giue a little thing for an alme, to the end to haue it againe with great vsurie.
1668 T. Jones Brit. Lang. in its Lustre at Cardawd, cerdod An alm or charity given to the poor.
1787 A. Saville Great Age H. Jenkins in Remarkable Hist. Robin Hood 19 I beleaved not the Storys of him for many years; till one day he cumming to beg an Alm.
1856 G. W. Thornbury Art & Nature II. vii. 205 For the love of Heaven (I moaned), gentleman, give a poor Christian an alm.
1881 C. H. Dall My first Holiday 237 The ‘Mission of San Gabriel’ is an attractive building... We..were told by the handmaiden who showed us round, that we should be expected to deposit ‘an alm!’
1991 M. B. Tracy Social Policies for Elderly in Third World iv. 75 The benefit is conceived as a reward for services and not as an alm or as charity.
2002 H. Regensteiner tr. T. Herzl in Journalistic Stories II. 138 A couple of people stand there in the shade..waiting for a handout, an alm of a six-pence coin.
2. More generally: praiseworthy or meritorious behaviour; an instance of this; a good or kind deed, a favour (in later use frequently ironically). Esp. as it is (also would be, etc.) (an) alms. Cf. mercy n. 5. Now rare (chiefly Scottish in later use).
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > [noun] > right action or well-doing > the doing of good deeds > a good deed
goodeOE
gooddeedOE
goodnessOE
good workOE
almosec1330
benefit1377
goodshipa1393
alms-deed1425
alms?a1439
desert1563
OE Seven Sleepers (Julius) (1994) 54 La, leof, ic bidde eow þæt ælmyssan þæt ic mote anes þinges axian.
a1300 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 60 (MED) He brovte wowe, þv brovtest ryhyt, þov helmes and he svnne.
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. l. 206 It is almesse to correctyn and a-mende The vicious folke.
a1450 Partonope of Blois (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1912) l. 8158 (MED) Hyt ys grete almes, I dare vndyr-take, A lady to sle a gentyll knyght That lovyth her truly.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccxcv. 437 It is a great almesse to confort maydens in their distresse.
1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. (1557) 137/1 It had ben great almes the priour, & shee had ben burned togyther.
1533 T. Elyot Of Knowl. Wise Man iv. f. 67v Pla. Woldest thous refuse hym for thy good father, & accompt hym thyn enmy? Ar. Nay I trowe, than were it almes to hang me.
?1570 T. Ingelend Disobedient Child sig. C.iii It were almes by my trothe, thou were well beaten Bycause so longe thou hast made me tarye.
1627 R. Sanderson Ten Serm. 167 If hee be hungry, it is almes to feed him; but if he be idle and vntoward, it is almes to whip him.
1767 E. Lloyd Conversation 40 Were ev'ry Tempest such, it were an Alms To rid the World, of such dull Things, as Calms.
1805 Scotland's Glory 44 Those who leave so good a Kirk, it were but alms to hang them.
1858 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) IV. xix. 168 The Archbishop of Paris affected to complain to Paget of the eagerness of the people. ‘It were alms to whip them,’ he said.
1972 D. Omand Caithness Bk. 242 Id wid be awms till help 'im.
3. Law. Tenure by gift of charity, spec. perpetual tenure by free gift of charity without secular obligations; = frankalmoign n. (chiefly as in alms). Also: property held in such tenure. historical in later use.In early use always with reference to pious benefactions to the Church.Frequently with preceding adjective. free alms: see free adj., n., and adv. Compounds 2. pure alms: see pure adj. 2b.In Old English the preceding adjective typically specifies the perpetuity of the grant rather than freedom of secular obligations. [With Old English ēce ælmesse (see eche adj.) compare post-classical Latin elemosina sempiterna (early 8th cent. in a lost charter, first half of 9th cent. in British sources). Compare also later perpetual alms n. at perpetual adj., adv., and n. Compounds 1, pure and perpetual alms at pure adj. 2b.]
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > [noun] > tenure by free gift of charity
almsOE
almoign?a1400
perpetual alms?c1430
free alms1445
frankalmoigna1513
OE Charter: Ealdorman Æðelred to Berkeley Abbey (Sawyer 218) in F. E. Harmer Sel. Eng. Hist. Docs. 9th & 10th Cent. (1914) 21 Twelf hida land æt Stoce..sio agefen to Wigornacestre þam bisceopstole for Æðelred ealdormon & for ealle Merce him to ecre ælmessan.
OE Agreement between Bp. Wærferð & Æðelwold (Sawyer 1441) in F. E. Harmer Sel. Eng. Hist. Docs. 9th & 10th Cent. (1914) 24 Ða cydde Werferð biscop þam weotum, þæt him wære forneh eall þæt wudulond ongereafad..þæt Æþelbald cyning gesalde to Weogernaceastre, him to ecre ælmessan.
a1325 ( Writ of Edward the Confessor, Westminster (Sawyer 1148) in F. E. Harmer Anglo-Saxon Writs (1952) 369 Hwa se ðas ælmesse holdlice healde, healde hine God and Godes moder on ece blisse.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) Prol. l. 742 (MED) The richesse Which to Silvestre in pure almesse The ferste Constantinus lefte, Fro holy cherche thei berefte.
a1400 ( Writ of Edward the Confessor, York (Sawyer 1161) in F. E. Harmer Anglo-Saxon Writs (1952) 419 Ic cyðe eow þæt ic habbe geunnan Ealdrede þaes arcebiscopes dyacne..þæt mynster at Axaminster..into Peteres mynster on Euerwic to almesse.
?1529 Proper Dyaloge Gentillman & Husbandman sig. B vv And ouer thys they saye more suttelly that they occupye not thys by tytle of secular lordshyppe but by tytle of perpetuall allmes.
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter at Frank almoine Britton maketh another kind of this land, &c. which is giuen in almes, but not free almes: because the tenents in this are tyed in certain seruices to the feoffor.
1677 R. Thoroton Antiq. Notts. 446 In Waresop of the Soc of Maunsfeld was one Bov. which a certain blind man held of the King in Alms.
1720 A. Collins Baronettage of Eng. I. 15 He..bequeath'd three Acres to Cockersand, in free Alms.
1824 E. Baines Hist. Lancaster I. i. 14 There was a priest there [sc. Childwall] having half a carucate of land, held in alms.
1876 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest V. 537 Among gifts to churches, we find..a whole string of grants in alms to great churches in England and Normandy.
1932 F. M. Stenton First Cent. Eng. Feudalism ii. 45 They [sc. clerks] could draft the straightforward record of an enfeoffment or a grant of land in alms, but many of them were curiously helpless as soon as [etc.].
1995 A. Williams Eng. & Norman Conquest (1997) v. 112 In Middlesex two widows held land in alms.

Compounds

C1.
a. General attributive, as alms loaf, alms money, alms-wine, etc.
ΚΠ
eOE (Kentish) Charter: Lufu to Christ Church, Canterbury (Sawyer 1197) in F. E. Harmer Sel. Eng. Hist. Docs. 9th & 10th Cent. (1914) 7 Willa ic gesellan.. lx ambra maltes & cl hlafa, l hwitehlafa, cxx elmeshlafes.
OE Wulfstan Homily: Be Mistlican Gelimpan (Hatton 113) in A. S. Napier Wulfstan (1883) 171 Sceote man ælmessan, be ðam þe man þonne to þearfe geræde:..hwilum ælmesbæð, hwilum þearfena fotþweal and elles ælmesgedal.
1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 24 (MED) Two pouere men shul bene hirede of ye almesse siluer, to holden ye torches aboute ye dede.
1466 Expenses J. Paston's Funeral in Paston Lett. (1904) IV. 230 More in almes mony, vi s. viii d.
c1475 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (Harl. 642) (1790) 73 Wynes, and almeswynes to houses of relygyouse, and for wynes of yeftes.
a1641 H. Spelman Reliquiæ Spelmannianæ (1698) viii. 17 To defend the Sea, his own head, and the peace, to pay Alms-monies, Church-seeds, Church-shots, and other things.
1821 A. Watson Ess. Var. Subj. II. 74 [They] would..increase their estates, or at least keep themselves from alms-poverty.
1853 R. S. Hardy Man. Budhism v. 117 He told the noble to inform the king that on the morrow he would make an alms-offering.
1979 N. Farah Sweet & Sour Milk 16 There came the voice of a beggar chanting alms-songs.
1998 M. Howell Eleanor of Provence (2001) iv. 76 The queen's itinerary may be followed from her alms accounts.
b. spec. In terms for containers into or from which alms are distributed. Cf. alms-basket n., alms tub n. at Compounds 3.
alms basin n.
ΚΠ
1584 in S. R. Glynne Notes Churches Cheshire (1894) 96 Prestbury Almes Basyn.
1894 F. C. Baylor Claudia Hyde vi. 113 One of the other boys in front of him..walked up the aisle, got the alms-basin, and proceeded to play churchwarden.
1981 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 29 Nov. i. 15/6 The police said that six large and six small silver alms basins had been taken from the 125-year-old St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
alms bowl n.
ΚΠ
1598 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 3 Last Bks. vi. ii. 99 Of his Almes-Boule three dayes sup'd or din'd.
1850 R. S. Hardy Eastern Monachism ix. 93 When going with the alms-bowl, he may not enter a house.
1921 Harper's Mag. June 35/1 The alms bowl presented to Queen's Chapel by the illustrious Caroline.
2008 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 1 Mar. (News Review section) 34 (caption) Young monks in Hsipaw collect food donations in their alms bowls.
alms box n.
ΚΠ
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1065/2 He..gaue an honest portion yearelye, to the common almes boxe.
1670 G. Havers tr. G. Leti Il Cardinalismo di Santa Chiesa ii. i. 107 They break open the Alms-box.
1885 T. Mozley Reminisc. III. cx. 337 A very ornamental alms-box was carried off in the night, and found open and empty in a meadow.
1997 J. Williams Money ii. 45/2 Jesus commends the poor widow who puts into the alms box all that she has.
alms chest n.
ΚΠ
1486 ( in F. J. Furnivall Gild of St. Mary, Lichfield (1920) 19 A certaine almes chest in owre lady chapell.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. The erecting of such alms-chest in every church, is enjoined by the book of canons.
1884 A. L. Alger tr. J. Gautier Usurper xiv. 132 ‘Then they must have gone to the right,’ said the warrior, dropping a piece of silver into the alms-chest covered with a lattice work of bamboo.
1996 J. J. Goldberg Jewish Power (1997) ii. iv. 92 The German immigrant tide overwhelmed the synagogues' alms chests.
alms dish n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > poverty > mendicancy > [noun] > beggar's dish
alms disha1378
clap-dish1587
clack-dish1608
society > trade and finance > money > place for keeping money > containers for money contributions > [noun] > for poor
alms disha1378
poor man's box1549
alms-basketc1560
poor chest1612
poor boxa1637
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving > that which is given in charity > receptacle for
alms disha1378
basket1535
alms-basketc1560
poor box1737
poor basket1814
a1378 in M. T. Löfvenberg Contrib. Middle Eng. Lexicogr. & Etymol. (1946) 45 (MED) Almysdyssh.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 788 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 325 In þe lordys cupp þat leuys vndrynken, Into þe almesdisshe hit schalle be sonken.
1525 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. I. 271 A ship of silver for the almes disshe.
1664 F. Philipps Mistaken Recompence 22 Two pence a piece was given to poor people every day at the Gate, besides the Kings Alms-dish every meal from of his Table.
1895 Athenæum 6 July 35/2 Several of the basins or almsdishes are very fine pieces of plate, and not improbably served originally as rose-water basins.
1986 S. Penman Here be Dragons (1991) (U.K. ed.) i. xv. 221 The crowd..surged forward as Llewelyn and Joanna dipped into the alms dish, scattered coins in their midst.
alms plate n.
ΚΠ
1820 F. Dalcho Hist. Acct. Episcopal Church S.-Carolina iii. 121 Two Tankards, one Chalice and Patine, and one large Alms Plate.
1911 Good Housek. May 571/1 The rector acquired a permanent smile of annoying iridescence that disconcerted me when I came up the aisle with the alms plate.
2003 M. A. Esposito Ciao Italia in Tuscany 142 There were also clergy.., walking among the diners and passing the alms plate, not taking no for an answer.
alms purse n.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > funds or pecuniary resources > [noun] > set apart for a purpose > for other purposes
alms purse1530
privy purse1565
sinking fund1717
stakea1744
pension fund1757
spare-chest1769
road fund1784
revolving fund1793
community chest1796
provident fund1817
sustentation fund1837
wages-fund1848
slush fund1874
treasury chest fund1877
fall money1883
jackpot1884
provision1895
war chest1901
juice1935
fighting fund1940
structural fund1967
appeal fund1976
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 194/1 Almes purse, bovrse avlmosnieres.
1846 tr. A. Dumas Marguerite de Valois viii. 78 Marguerite locked the door upon him, and hid the key in her alms-purse.
2010 M. P. O'Tool in J. R. Eyler Disability in Middle Ages i. 16 Paris was known for its production of..certain luxury goods, such as silk alms purses and silk belts.
c. In terms denoting a person in receipt of or dependent upon alms. Cf. almsman n.
almsbody n.
ΚΠ
1611 Hall Papers 23 May in H. Stocks Rec. Borough Leicester (1923) IV. 111 With some allowance towards gownes for everye Almesbodie there.
1660 J. Burroughs Saints Happinesse 30 A poore Godly Almes-body.
1852 Tait's Edinb. Mag. June 334/1 To eke out his pay as an almsbody on the establishment of ‘Blunder's Gift’.
1908 L. L. Duncan Hist. Lewisham 125 The gate next the street was to have a good lock carefully locked every night, and every almsbody was to have a key to that lock.
almspeople n.
ΚΠ
1565 J. Stow Summarie Eng. Chrons. f. 197v They be bound to geue to .x. poore almes people of ye same company euery one of them .viii. d.
1640 W. Somner Antiq. Canterbury 60 Remaines of their food..were distributed..to certain almes-people consisting of a society of Brothers and Sisters.
1761 London & Environs Described II. 304 Each of the twenty-two almspeople have two rooms, and an allowance of 3s. per week.
1898 Brit. Architect 23 Sept. 217/1 The original building..will in no wise be affected by the proposed demolition, nor will any injustice be done to the almspeople.
2000 Northern Echo (Nexis) 20 Sept. 6 Proceeds will be used towards the upkeep of the 300-year-old candlelit chapel and for the benefit of the almspeople.
C2.
a. Objective, with agent nouns, verbal nouns, and participles. Cf. alms-gift n. at Compounds 3.
almsgiving n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving
alms-deedc1175
charityc1175
alms-gifta1325
almsgivinga1438
charitableness1447
erogation1531
almonage1667
benefaction1674
tzedakah1959
a1438 Bk. Margery Kempe (1940) i. 47 (MED) Almes-ȝeuyng to powyr folke.
1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. IV. 302 To prove to them that Almes-giving is a Duty.
1833 Hazard's Reg. Pennsylvania June 405/2 It is not their wish to make ours an alms-giving society,—they are sensible it has a higher aim—but they think it proper to state this difficulty.
1876 J. R. Green Stray Stud. 23 The indiscriminate almsgiving which has done so much to create and encourage pauperism.
1991 A. Hourani Hist. Arab Peoples ii. x. 169 Almsgiving should be performed out of a desire to obey God, and to regard the goods of the world as being of little worth.
2008 Church Times 29 Feb. 17/2 The almsgiving lay person today has to make a real effort to find some charitable outlet that is not already looked after by a secular arm.
almsgiver n.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving > charitable person or almsgiver
almoner1340
dispender1340
almsgiverc1400
almsman1440
almswoman1440
benefactora1513
charitarian1859
OE Wulfstan Christian Life (Hatton) 206 Se ðe wære gitsiende oðra manna þinga & æhta, weorðe of his agenan rihte begytenan ælmesgyfa georne.]
c1400 Femina (Trin. Cambr.) (1909) 101 (MED) Goud hyt ys to be a almesȝeuere Of goudes þat ye may gete.
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1954) VII. 223 A liberall almes-giver sends to persons, that never know who sends.
1875 R. Hill & F. Hill What we saw in Austral. xxiii. 387 The donors are as much to blame as are indiscriminate alms-givers in London.
2002 G. MacDonald Secrets Generous Life vi. 122 Were there actually almsgivers in Jesus' time who ensured that a fanfare of some kind was sounded when they made their offering?
b. Instrumental, as alms-clothed, alms-fed, alms-supported adjs.
ΚΠ
1824 London Mag. Jan. 71/1 An alms-fed fool stood by the churchyard wall.
1834 J. Simpson Necessity Pop. Educ. viii. 241 Without an abatement of the grand nuisance of an alms-supported people, education need not be attempted.
1884 N.E.D. at Alms Alms-clothed.
1927 Jrnl. Royal Asiatic Soc. 2 199 Work is begun in the usual way at that time in India, that of teaching as alms-fed samaṇas.
C3.
alms-bread n. now historical bread, typically of poor quality, which is distributed as alms.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > bread > [noun] > second-quality bread
cocketc1390
yeoman bread1430
cheatc1450
alms-bread1600
1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor iii. ii. sig. Kijv My best graine [shall] Be made almes-bread to feed halfe-famisht mouths. View more context for this quotation
1830 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 234 Concessions which are as grateful to a proud colony as alms-bread is to a proud man.
1906 Smart Set July 87/1 That renowned bohemian who walked in Ionia's blossoming ways, eating alms-bread.
2003 D. Banham in C. P. Biggam From Earth to Art 122 Alms-bread was probably the roughest kind, suitable for giving away to the poor in large quantities.
† alms-deal n. Obsolete = alms dealing n.Quot. eOE could alternatively be interpreted as showing a collocation with the genitive of strong feminine ælmes (see etymological note), as opposed to a true compound; the usual combining form in Old English is ælmes-.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving > charitable actions > distribution of charity
alms-dealeOE
alms dealingc1443
eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) i. xvi. 66 Þæm lifiendum þonne in gemænum life hwæt is us to sprecenne, hu heo heora ælmessedæle [OE Cambr. Univ. Libr. ælmessan dæle; L. de faciendis portionibus] oðþe gestliðnesse bigonge & mildheortnesse fyllen?
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 135 Þe apostel us munegeð here to..elmasdele and seið þet me heo scal ȝefen hafelesen monne.
alms dealing n. now rare distribution of alms, almsgiving.In quot. 2002 probably with play on arms dealing n. at arms n. Compounds 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving > charitable actions > distribution of charity
alms-dealeOE
alms dealingc1443
c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 382 (MED) Worschiping..is not so..meritorie a vertu as is largenes or bodili almes delyng.
1607 W. Cowper Jacobs Wrestling (new ed.) sig. G4v They can best speed at the Lords almes-dealing that fall downe lowest with the Publican.
1708 G. Smalridge Serm. preach'd in Christ's-Church 11 Merciful Alms-dealing is profitable to purge the Soul.
1853 A. Martineau Church Hist. in Eng. xi. 226 With respect to the duty of alms-dealing..a daily distribution was expected of bishops.
2002 A. Bosanko Lazy Ways to make Living ix. 111 Nodding to the regular beggars and doing a bit of alms dealing.
alms-drink n. rare (apparently) drink given to another as an act of charity.Chiefly after Shakespeare's use in quot. a1616, which has been interpreted in various ways.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. vii. 5 They haue made him drinke Almes drinke . View more context for this quotation
1906 J. A. de Rothschild Shakespeare & his Day iii. 123 Those sordid beggars..whose horn, that alms-drink ought to fill, was most often dry.
1911 F. W. Hackwood Good Old Times v. 71 Alms-drink was the name given to the leavings in the drinking-cups which were all collected and served out to the poor and needy.
alms fee n. now chiefly historical money to be given as, or to be used for, alms, esp. as a tax or customary payment.In historical use frequently equated with Peter's penny n. 1 and plough-alms n.; in quot. lOE it is uncertain which of these payments the word denotes.
ΚΠ
lOE Laws: Rectitudines (Corpus Cambr.) i. 444 Eac of manegum landum mare landriht arist to cyniges gebanne, swilce is..ælmesfeoh & cyricsceat.
1678 J. Godolphin Repertorium Canonicum xxxii. 356 This Alms-fee or Alms-money was that, which was called the Peterpence.
1720 J. Johnson Coll. Eccl. Laws Church of Eng. I. sig. T3v We enjoin all Christian Men the paying of Tithes..as also their Church-Scot and Alms-fee.
1892 C. M. Andrews Old Eng. Manor ii. 129 Besides the kirkshot the thegn paid to the Church almsfee, a due which may have corresponded to the plough alms.
1960 Winnipeg Free Press 4 June 26/5 A priest may not demand more than the alms fee specifically set by his bishop. This token stipend is usually one dollar.
almsgate n. now chiefly historical a gate at which alms are distributed.
ΚΠ
1602 J. Manningham Diary Jan. (1868) 17 Tarlton called Burley house gate..the Lord Treasurers Almes gate, because it was seldom or never opened.
1846 A. E. Bray Henry de Pomeroy (new ed.) iv. 50 Not so much as even the petticoat of a woman is admitted within our walls; save..poor old women at the alms-gate or in the cloisters.
1922 Everybody's Mar. 24/2 He pointed a lean brown finger at the man behind the alms-gate.
2007 V. Grove Rhiannon viii. 97 ‘You sound like you've seen folk like them before.’ ‘Yes, sheltering beneath the almsgate at our monastery in Glastonbury.’
alms-gift n. (a) †almsgiving (obsolete); something given as or by way of alms, a charitable gift; †(b) = almoign n. 1 (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving
alms-deedc1175
charityc1175
alms-gifta1325
almsgivinga1438
charitableness1447
erogation1531
almonage1667
benefaction1674
tzedakah1959
society > faith > worship > benefice > other financial matters > [noun] > almoign > perpetual
perpetual alms?c1430
free alms1445
frankalmoigna1513
almonagea1711
alms-gift1882
OE Wulfstan Sermo ad Anglos (Corpus Cambr. 201) (1957) 262 Ne þrælas ne moton habban..þæt þæt heom on Godes est gode men geuðon, & to ælmesgife for Godes lufan sealdon.]
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2466 Chirche-gong, Elmesse-gifte and messe-song.
c1450 Speculum Christiani (Harl. 6580) (1933) 44 (MED) To forȝeue the dede es a werke of counseyle or of hy almes-ȝifte.
1614 R. Horne Christian Governour sig. B8v If that which is giuen be not giuen in faith (which maketh gift to be an almes-gift) it is not so much as a pennie giuen.
1767 G. E. Howard Coll. Apothegms & Maxims 251 Prayers offered up in time of danger, and vows of alms gifts.
1820 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 135 Almost all, that we have to boast of literary establishments among us, have been alms-gifts of public spirited men.
1882 J. Hardy in Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 9 474 The Abbot..held one carrucate of land..in pure alms-gift.
1903 Jrnl. United Service Inst. India Oct. 318 Alms-gifts, penance, and sacrifices are not equal to philanthropy.
2005 I. Harris Cambodian Buddhism iii. 70 The Buddha's alms-gift of a shroud..from Suvaṇṇadāsī.
alms penny n. now historical a penny given as or by way of alms.In quot. c1155 denoting a kind of rent or tax; compare alms fee n., plough-alms n.
ΚΠ
c1155 ( Bounds (Sawyer 1555) in S. E. Kelly Charters of Bath & Wells (2007) 147 Ofer eall þæt land gebyrað at gyrde xii pæneg' & iiii ælmespeneg'.
1595 G. Peele Old Wiues Tale sig. B2 Father, here is an Almes pennie for mee.
1683 J. Barnard Theologo-historicus 275 Besides the Cure of their bodily infirmities; its probable he gave them an Alms-peny.
1892 W. C. Hazlitt Tales & Legends (1899) 384 Seeing he had gotten his land so good cheap, he would not even an alms-penny afford unto him in his necessity.
1995 M. Shell Art & Money iii. 60 A few monetary tokens are given as beggars' tokens or alms pennies.
almspriest n. now historical and rare a priest having charge of an almshouse or similar institution.Used chiefly of the headmaster of the grammar school founded at Walthamstow, Essex, by Sir George Monoux (died 1544).
ΚΠ
1580 J. Stow Chrons. of Eng. 903 The sayd almes Priest should on Sondayes and festiuall dayes be helping & assistant to the Uicar or Curate.
1767 W. Tooke Weever's Antient Funeral Monuments (new ed.) 359 He founded..a fair almshouse in the churchyard, for an alms-priest, and thirteen poor almspeople.
1803 J. P. Malcolm Londinium Redivivum I. 221 At 9 o'clock the alms-priest said a mass at the hearse.
1891 C. Booth Labour & Life People London II. iii. iii. 436 The Monoux Grammar School was founded in 1527, and in it twenty children were taught by the alms-priest who had also charge of the almshouses.
1985 J. P. Anglin Third University i. 25 Monoux's school, housed on the upper floor of a specially constructed almshouse, was headed by an almspriest.
almsroom n. now historical a room for the accommodation of the poor, in an almshouse or the like.
ΚΠ
1583 K. Barthram Petition in State Papers Domest.: Elizabeth I (P.R.O.: SP 12/163/40) f. 94 Yt pleased the Qvnes highnes to geve me..one of the Almes romes in Clarkes Alley.
1657 J. Howell Londinopolis 70 Seven Alms-Rooms, or Houses for the poor, belonging to the Company of Leathersellers.
1866 Sword & Trowel Oct. 479 A considerable sum has been realized towards building..about twenty almsrooms, day-schools for boys and girls, and a schoolmaster's house.
2000 G. L. Hudson in D. A. Gerber Disabled Veterans in Hist. ii. 118 The council tried to use the royal prerogative to grant almsrooms to ex-servicemen in cathedral and collegiate almshouses.
alms tub n. now historical a large container used to store (esp. leftover) food or drink for distribution to the poor or needy.
ΚΠ
1482 in J. P. Collier Househ. Bks. John Duke of Norfolk & Thomas Earl of Surrey (1844) 228 Item, for a lok for the almes tobbe, ij d.
1600 T. Nashe Summers Last Will sig. D3 Wine would soone fall from six and twentie pound a tunne,..and take vp his Inne with wast beere in the almes tub.
1841 R. Brown Domest. Archit. 27 By the hall-skreen stood the alms-tub, from which the steward and almoner distributed a dole of meal to each.
1980 C. Erickson Great Harry xiii. 97 The dogs..made off with scraps from the alms tubs that held the leavings of the meal.
alms-work n. (a) = alms-deed n. 1 ( now rare); (b) = alms-deed n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving > charitable actions
alms-deedOE
alms-workOE
almsOE
charity1612
OE Blickling Homilies 25 Gemunon we nu ure dæghwamlican synna.., þæt we mid eallum mægene hie beton mid fæstenum, & mid gebedum, & mid ælmesweorcum.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 10118 To wirrkenn allmess werrkess.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage vi. v. 488 Neither haue the Turkes..beene altogether idle in their deuotion, which they testifie by their Pilgrimages, and Almesworkes.
1662 R. Brathwait Chimneys Scuffle 15 'Twere fit for th' Poor they built an Hospitall; Which Almes-work so long as they delay, Let their Revenues for our Chimneys pay.
1907 Rep. & Trans. Devonshire Assoc. 39 383 Alms-work (elemosina) or philanthropy.
1941 G. Ryan & H. Ripperger tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legend ii. 522 Thy prayers are granted, and thine almsworks have ascended in the sight of the Lord.
2010 D. Swift Lady's Slipper vi. 63 Placing the capital at the disposal of his new-found brethren for their alms work.

Derivatives

ˈalmsless adj. [compare earlier almousless adj. at almous n. Derivatives] rare without alms; giving or receiving no alms.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > non-possession > [adjective] > having received no alms
unalmsed1827
almsless1840
society > society and the community > social attitudes > misanthropy > [adjective] > uncharitable
almouslessc1330
almsless2000
1840 G. Darley Thomas à Becket iv. v. 103 He hath Many relations, friends, domestics, here Who eat no other's bread;..Now he has left them almsless.
1883 T. C. Harbaugh Maple Leaves 83 Fifty dollars! what a trifle! Twenty more I might have had, Had I from my door this morning Almsless sent that whining lad.
2000 J. BeDuhn Manichaean Body (2002) 253 Failure to meet the criteria..rendered an Elect worthless and, consequently, alms-less.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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