Alms

ämz, n. relief given out of pity to the poor.— ns. Alms′-deed , a charitable deed; Alms′-drink ( Shak. ), leavings of drink; Alms′-fee , an annual tax of one penny on every hearth, formerly sent from England to Rome, Peter's pence; Alms′house , a house endowed for the support and lodging of the poor; Alms′-man , a man who lives by alms. [A.S. ælmy e , through Late L., from Gr. eleēmosynē — eleos , compa ion. Dr Murray notes the Scot. and North Country almous , awmous , as an independent adoption of the cognate Norse almusa ; and the legal Almoign , Almoin , perpetual tenure by free gift of charity, from O. Fr., perhaps due to a confusion with alimonium .]