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almshouse

 - 3 dictionary results

alms⋅house

  [ahmz-hous]
Use almshouse in a Sentence
–noun, plural -hous⋅es  [-hou-ziz] . Chiefly British.
1. a house endowed by private charity for the reception and support of the aged or infirm poor.
2. (formerly) a poorhouse.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME almes hous. See alms, house
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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alms·house   (ämz'hous')   
n.  

  1. A poorhouse.

  2. Chiefly British A home for the poor that is maintained by private charity.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

almshouse

in the United States, a locally administered public institution for homeless, aged persons without means. Such institutions radically declined in number in the second half of the 20th century, replaced by other means of subsistence and care.

Learn more about almshouse with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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