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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Alms \Alms\ ([add]mz), noun sing. & pl. [OE. almes, almesse, AS. [ae]lmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. 'elehmosy'nh mercy, charity, alms, fr. 'eleei^n 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.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
alms
noun: voluntary contributions to aid the poor [syn: {alms-giving}, {almsgiving}]
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:
Alms Not found in the Old Testament, but repeatedly in the New. The Mosaic legislation (Lev. 25:35; Deut. 15:7) tended to promote a spirit of charity, and to prevent the occurrence of destitution among the people. Such passages as these, Ps. 41:1; 112:9; Prov. 14:31; Isa. 10:2; Amos 2:7; Jer. 5:28; Ezek. 22:29, would also naturally foster the same benevolent spirit. In the time of our Lord begging was common (Mark 10:46; Acts 3:2). The Pharisees were very ostentatious in their almsgivings (Matt. 6:2). The spirit by which the Christian ought to be actuated in this duty is set forth in 1 John 3:17. A regard to the state of the poor and needy is enjoined as a Christian duty (Luke 3:11; 6:30; Matt. 6:1; Acts 9:36; 10:2, 4), a duty which was not neglected by the early Christians (Luke 14:13; Acts 20:35; Gal. 2:10; Rom. 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-4). They cared not only for the poor among themselves, but contributed also to the necessities of those at a distance (Acts 11:29; 24:17; 2 Cor. 9:12). Our Lord and his attendants showed an example also in this (John 13:29). In modern times the "poor-laws" have introduced an element which modifies considerably the form in which we may discharge this Christian duty.
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