A house founded by private charity, for the reception and support of the (usually aged) poor. Formerly, The house where the alms of a monastery were distributed, and the hospitality of the convent dispensed.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., Almesshowse, Xenodochium.
1509. Bury Wills (1850), 111. The seyd poor dwellyng in ye seyd almeshowsyn.
1576. Grindal, Articles of Inquiry, Wks. 1843, 172. Whether your hospitals, spitals, and almose-houses, be well and godly used.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 549, ¶ 3. I may build an alms-house … for a dozen superannuated husbandmen.
1858. Wiseman, Four Last Popes, 238. Humble alms-houses founded by an eminent merchant.
