ˈalmənə(r), ˈäm- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English aumener, from Old French aumosnier, almosnier, from aumosne, almosne alms, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin alemosina, alteration of Late Latin eleemosyna — more at alms
1. : one that distributes alms
2. : a onetime official of a monastery or almshouse charged with distributing alms ; also : one that dispenses alms for another
the almoner of a king
3. Britain : a social-service worker in a hospital