Almonry

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 Almshouse 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.