Crossword clues for almoner
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Almoner \Al"mon*er\ ([a^]l"m[u^]n*[~e]r), n. [OE. aumener, aulmener, OF. almosnier, aumosnier, F. aum[^o]nier, 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.
A social worker in a hospital. [Chiefly Brit.]
An official in a hospital whose job it is to calculate how much a patient must pay for treatment. [Chiefly Brit.]
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"official distributor of alms on behalf of another," c.1300 (mid-13c. as a surname), from Old French almosnier (12c.; Modern French aumônerie), from Vulgar Latin *almosinarius, from Late Latin elemosinarius (adj.) "connected with alms," from eleemosyna "alms" (see alms).
Wiktionary
n. 1 one who distributes (l en alms), especially the doles and alms of religious houses, almshouses; 2 one who dispenses alms for another, as the almoner of a prince, bishop
WordNet
n. an official in a British hospital who looks after the social and material needs of the patients [syn: medical social worker]
Wikipedia
An almoner is a chaplain or church officer who originally was in charge of distributing money to the deserving poor. The first deacons mentioned in Acts 6:1–4 dealt with the distribution of the charity of the early Christian churches to needy members. The title almoner has fallen out of use in English, but its equivalents in other languages are often used for many pastoral functions exercised by chaplains or pastors. The word derives from the Ancient Greek ἐλεημοσύνη, eleēmosynē (see Eleemosynary), via the Vulgar Latin almosinarius.
Historically, almoners were Christian religious functionaries whose duty was to distribute alms to the poor. Monasteries were required to spend one tenth of their income in charity to the poor (a tithe). Bishops kept their own almoners and almoners were attached to the courts of the Kings of France. Charles VIII of France had a Grand Almoner in his employ.
In the United Kingdom, the Marquess of Exeter also holds the title of hereditary Grand Almoner. Today, however, one of the most prominent such offices is that of the Lord High Almoner in the Church of England. The holder of that office, as of 2015 John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, is responsible for organising the Queen's annual distribution of Maundy money.
The title almoner was also used for a hospital official who interviews prospective patients to qualify them as indigent. It was later applied to the officials who were responsible for patient welfare and after-care. This position is now usually filled by medical social workers.
The Almoner remains an active and important office in the Livery Companies of the City of London and Masonic Lodges in England, Ireland and other Masonic Constitutions. His duty is to oversee the needs of the Brethren within his Lodge. He is the contact for charity and looks after the welfare of the members, including visits to the sick, aged and infirm.
Usage examples of "almoner".
It was a fat almoner, heavy with gold, just the same as the other four.
From his almoner he would take out the silver hair that had been from the head of the Lady Alaine and he would give it to the wind.
Maud answered, and called to two men I had not noticed, addressing one as almoner and the other as chamberlain.
In fact, I had yesterday heard some talk about the almoner, himself a priest, that I had not then understood.
The almoner had not wanted me to look at anything slowly and carefully.
As if apologetically, the almoner began to speak of the leper house and the various inmates.
Ralph that the almoner was one of those who disapproved of modern knights.
The almoner had already hinted that the harvest had not been as good as had been hoped, and that it would be best if the lepers could reduce their demands on the church.
Quivil to the church to collect what gracious charity the almoner thought fit for them.
It was while he had been staying at Winchester that he had heard from the almoner there how people contracted leprosy.
The master was asking the almoner about her, trying to find out what he could, but I doubt whether the almoner could have told him much.
Thomas Wolsey, dean of Lincoln, and almoner to the king, surpassed in favor all his ministers, and was fast advancing towards that unrivalled grandeur which he afterwards attained.
He combines ecclesiastical with secular functions, being apostolic administrator and bishop of Hermopolis, and at the same time Grand Almoner of the household and superintendent of the third Salle of the casino.
I thought you had been made almoner, or something like that, to the Queen.
When he reached the Abbey he inquired for the Almoner whose task it is to give food and clothes to the poor.