almonry
(ˈælmənrɪ)
Also 5 almosnerye.
[a. OFr. au(l)mosnerie (mod. aumônerie); f. au(l)mosnier (mod. aumônier) almoner: see -ry.]
1. A place where alms were distributed; the residence of an almoner.
| a 1480 Caxton Advt. in Douce E.T. Fragm. 1 Late hym come to Westmonester in to the almonesrye at the reed pale. [? mispr. for almosnerye]. 1598 Stow Survey (ed. Strype 1754) II. vi. iii. 634/2 The place wherein this Chapel and Alms-house stand was called the Elemosinary or Almo[n]ry, now corruptly the Ambrey; for that the alms of the Abbey are there distributed to the poor. 1770 Thorpe in Phil. Trans. LXI. 154 Given in very ancient times to the use of the almonary or almonry of that abbey. 1859 Tennent Ceylon I. iii. xi. 407 The king erected almonries at the four gates of the capital. |
† 2. = almoner2, or perh. = ambry 3. Obs. rare.
| a 1536 Tindale Exp. Matt. Wks. II. 88 Love will make me put my hand into my purse, or almonry. |