411 REFERENCE · Wiktionary
Magdalene asylum
Reference material by Wiktionary contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
English
Etymology
Named after Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene, traditionally associated with prostitution and a patron saint of penitent sinners.
Noun
en historical A religious prison for prostitutes and unmarried mothers, usually as a source of forced labour.
en Magdalene hospital Magdalen hospital Magdalene laundry chiefly Ireland
en asylum labour camp prison workhouse
Further reading
en eponyms
en Housing Prison