Magdalene asylum
English
Etymology
Named after Mary Magdalene, traditionally associated with prostitution and patron saint of penitent sinners.
Noun
Magdalene asylum (plural Magdalene asylums)
- (historical) A religious prison for prostitutes and unmarried mothers, usually as a source of forced labour.
Synonyms
- Magdalene hospital, Magdalen hospital
- Magdalene laundry (chiefly Ireland)
Hypernyms
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.