Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.