almoner

noun

al·mo·ner ˈal-mə-nər

ˈä-mə-

Synonyms of almoner next

: one who distributes alms

British : a social-service worker in a hospital

Examples of almoner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The office of the almoner traditionally cares for the weak. —

Gaia Pianigiani, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aumener, almoynere, borrowed from Anglo-French aumosner, aumoner (continental Old French almosnier "person receiving alms," aumosnier "person giving alms"), going back to Vulgar Latin *alimosinārius, altered from Late Latin elēmosynārius, from eleēmosyna "charitable gift, act of charity" (borrowed from Greek eleēmosýnē "pity, act of kindness, alms") + -ārius -ary entry 1 — more at eleemosynary

Note: The Late Latin word has been conformed to the vernacular form *alimosina —compare alms.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of almoner was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Almoner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/almoner. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

almoner

noun

al·mo·ner ˈal-mə-nər

ˈäm-ə-

: a person who gives out alms

Medical Definition

almoner

noun

al·mon·er ˈäm-ə-nər

ˈal-mə-

British

: a social-service worker in a hospital

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almoner

noun

Examples of almoner in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near almoner

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition