ASKS ALMS Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "asks alms" refers to the act of seeking or requesting charitable donations, typically in the form of money or goods, from others. It describes the action of approaching individuals or a larger public audience with a humble request for financial assistance or support due to one's perceived need or disadvantaged circumstances.
In many cultures and societies, individuals or groups who are in dire circumstances, such as extreme poverty, homelessness, or physical disability, resort to asking alms as a means to fulfill their basic needs. These individuals, commonly called beggars or mendicants, often rely on the generosity and compassion of others to obtain food, shelter, clothing, or other essential amenities.
Asking alms often involves displaying humility, desperation, or gratitude in order to elicit sympathy or empathy from potential donors. This act can take place in public spaces such as streets, markets, or places of worship, where individuals can come into contact with a diverse range of people.
While asking alms can be seen as a time-honored tradition aimed at addressing immediate survival needs, it is important to note that societal responses to it vary greatly. Some societies promote giving alms as a charitable act, considering it a means to practice benevolence and compassion. However, in other contexts, it may be discouraged or even criminalized due to concerns about the exploitation, fraud, or enabling of dependency.
Overall, asking alms is an age-old practice deeply rooted in the pursuit of basic necessities, often representing a stark reminder of the inequalities and hardships faced by marginalized members of society.
Common Misspellings for ASKS ALMS
- ask almes
- aks alms
- aske alms
- zsks alms
- ssks alms
- wsks alms
- qsks alms
- aaks alms
- azks alms
- axks alms
- adks alms
- aeks alms
- awks alms
- asjs alms
- asms alms
- asls alms
- asos alms
- asis alms
- aska alms
- askz alms
Etymology of ASKS ALMS
The phrase "asks alms" can be broken down into two words: "asks" and "alms".
The word "asks" is derived from the Old English word "ascian", which means "to ask, to inquire". This Old English word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "aiskōną".
The word "alms" has a slightly more complex origin. It comes from the Old English word "ælmesse", which means "almsgiving, charity". In turn, this Old English word was borrowed from the Late Latin term "eleemosyna", which derives from the Greek word "eleēmosunē". The Greek word "eleēmosunē" means "compassion, mercy", and it comes from the Greek term "eleēmōn", meaning "pitiful, merciful".
