almsgiver

noun — 2 senses

almsgiver

noun

Etymology From Middle English almesȝevere, from Old English ælmesġyfa, ælmesġifa (“almsgiver”), equivalent to alms + giver.

1

A giver of alms.

2

A small scale philanthropist or benefactor who consistently gives small amounts to those desperately in need.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.