Almsman
/ˈɑːmz.mən/noun
A person who gives alms or charity; also, historically, one who lives on alms.
Did you know?*Alms* ultimately comes from Greek *eleēmosynē* (“pity, mercy”), a word that passed through Latin and Old English before becoming tied to the ritual language of Christian charity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
eleēmosynē
“pity, compassion, almsgiving”
Late Latin
Latin
eleemosyna
“alms, charity”
Old English
OE
ælmesse
“alms, charitable gift”
Middle English
ME
almesse
“alms; charitable giving”
Middle English
ME
almesman
“a person associated with alms, especially one who receives or gives them”
Modern English
English
almsman
“a person who gives alms or lives on alms”
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