SG Heritage Dictionary

Almoner [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. The Grand almoner in France, is the first ecclesiastical dignitary, and has the superintendence of hospitals.

Almoner [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

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.

Almoner Encyclopedia Britannica

ALMONER, in its primitive sense, denotes an officer in religious houses, to whom belonged the management and distribution of the alms of the house. By the ancient canons, all monasteries were to spend at least a tenth part of their income in alms to the poor, and all bishops were required to keep almoners.

Lord Almoner, or Lord High Almoner of England, is an ecclesiastical officer, generally a bishop, who has a right to the forfeiture of all deodands and the goods of a felo de se, which he is to distribute among the poor. He has also, by virtue of an ancient custom, the power of giving the first dish from the king’s table to whatever poor person he pleases, or, instead of it, an alms in money. See Maunday Thursday.

9th ed. Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 1, p. 595
[133 words — estimated reading time: 1 minute]

Almonership [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

The office of an almoner.