almswoman

An elderly almswoman receives a loaf of bread at the church door.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A woman who receives alms: "almswoman" refers to a woman who is supported by charitable donations or public relief, typically living on money or goods given as alms.

Usage Examples

• (A woman who received charitable support from the local church.)
• (A woman who depended on alms for her daily needs.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be an almswoman of the parish": to be officially recognized as a recipient of parish charity.
  • She was listed as an almswoman in the church records for over twenty years. (She was formally registered as a beneficiary of church alms.)

Variants and Related Words

• Almsman (n): a man who receives alms.
  • The almsman knelt at the church door, hoping for coins from passersby. (A male recipient of charity.)
• Almshouse (n): a house built by charity for the poor to live in.
  • The almshouse provided shelter for several almsmen and almswomen. (A charitable residence for the needy.)
• Almsgiving (n): the act of giving money or food to the poor.
  • Almsgiving was considered a religious duty in medieval times. (The practice of charitable donation.)

Synonyms

• Beggar: a person who asks for money or food from others.
  • The beggar sat on the street corner with a cup. (Similar in meaning, but less formal and often implies active solicitation.)
• Pauper: a very poor person, especially one who relies on public charity.
  • The pauper was taken to the workhouse. (A person living in extreme poverty, often supported by the state.)

Related Idioms

• To live on alms: to survive solely through charitable gifts.
  • After losing her family, she had to live on alms from the church. (To depend entirely on charity for sustenance.)