What does almswoman mean?
An almswoman is a woman who gives alms, especially as a regular charitable duty. The word may refer to anyone who provides food, money, or other assistance to people in need, but it traditionally carries a more formal and personal sense of charitable responsibility. An almswoman might distribute provisions to the poor, support members of her community, or provide for people unable to care for themselves. The term is now mostly encountered in historical, literary, and religious contexts; in contemporary English, charity worker, charitable donor, or philanthropist are often more natural alternatives. Its historical interest lies in the way it records both the importance of private charity and the convention of giving charitable roles distinctly gendered titles. Although uncommon today, almswoman remains a precise and evocative word for a woman whose charitable activity was widely recognized.
nounA woman who gives alms, especially one who does so regularly as a charitable duty.
- A woman who gives alms, especially one who does so regularly as a charitable duty.
"The widow became known throughout the village as an almswoman who fed those in need."
"The village almswoman distributed bread and money to the poorest families every winter."
"In the historical novel, the narrator describes the elderly woman as a respected almswoman."
The standard plural is almswomen, though the word itself is now uncommon.
"The parish's almswomen provided food and shelter to travelers in distress."
A time capsule of English social history, almswoman preserves the once-familiar gendered title for a woman who gave charity to those in need.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How almswoman is actually used
The word is now chiefly literary, historical, or archaic, appearing in older texts and descriptions of charitable institutions. In modern usage, charity worker, charitable donor, or philanthropist may be more appropriate, depending on the context.
Easily confused with almswoman
An almsman is the male equivalent of an almswoman, meaning a man who gives alms.