Alms \Alms\, n. sing. & pl. [OE. almes, almesse, AS. [ae]lmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. ? mercy, charity, alms, fr. ? to pity. Cf. Almonry, Eleemosynary.]

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)