Asks for alms is a term used to describe the act of begging for money or other forms of assistance. It is derived from the Latin word 'almus' which means 'MERCIFUL'. The crossword solution for this term is 'begs', which is a verb meaning to ask for something in an urgent or humble manner. Asks for alms is often associated with poverty and homelessness, as it is a common practice for those in need to ask for help from others.