Almoner

January 16, 2019

Look Up Every Unfamiliar Word You See

I came across the word ‘Almoner’ in the entertaining novel Ruined City (1938)(US title: Kindling) by Nevil Shute:

‘Warren gathered that Miss MacMahon must be the Almoner.’

From Wiktionary—Almoner:

  1. One who distributes alms, especially the doles and alms of religious houses, almshouses.
  2. One who dispenses alms for another, as the almoner of a prince, bishop.
  3. A title given to a royal officer charged with the duty of distributing alms or bounty on behalf of a monarch
  4. A hospital official responsible for patient welfare and after-care.

Etymonline.com on almoner.

Wikipedia on almoner.


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Notes from John Williams.

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