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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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almshouse
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Originally the part of a monastery in which alms (charity for the poor) were distributed. After the *dissolution of the monasteries it became the custom for rich men to build almshouses (intended mainly as homes for the elderly poor) which would bear their names. Often in a grand architectural style, almshouses are a familiar feature of many English towns.
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