ALMONER

AL'MONER, noun [See Alms.]An officer whose duty is to distribute charity or alms. By the ancient canons, every monastery was to dispose of a tenth of its income in alms to the poor, and all bishops were obliged to keep an almoner This title is sometimes given to a chaplain; as, the almoner of a ship or regiment.The Lord almoner or Lord High almoner in England, is an ecclesiastical officer, generally a bishop, who has the forfeiture of al deodands, and the goods of self-murderers, which he is to distribute to the poor.The Grand almoner in France, is the first ecclesiastical dignitary, and has the superintendence of hospitals.

---

almoner. Almoner, n. a distributer of alms, an officer

---

Al″mon‐er (ăl″mŭn‐ẽr), n. [[OE. aumener, aulmener, OF. almosnier, aumosnier, F. aumônier, fr. OF. almosne, alms, L. eleemosyna. See Alms.]] One who distributes alms, esp. the doles and alms of religious houses, almshouses, etc.; also, one who dispenses alms for another; as the almoner of a prince, bishop, etc.