Originally: a charitable act. In later use spec.: an act of giving alms. Formerly also: †something given as alms, a charitable gift or offering (obs…

(a) = alms-deed, n. 1 (now rare); (b) = alms-deed, n. 2.

As a count noun: an act of charity; (now more usually) a charitable donation, a gift of charity… In plural, with explicit plural inflection. Obsolete.

Benevolence to one's neighbours, especially to the poor; the practical beneficences in which this… plural. Acts or works of charity to the poor.