Magdalene

noun

Mag·​da·​lene ˈmag-də-ˌlēn 

variants or less commonly Magdalen

ˈmag-də-lən 

or magdalene or magdalen

plural Magadelenes also ; Magdalens or ; magdelenes also ; magdalens

1

old-fashioned : a woman who engages in performing sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay

2

dated : a house of refuge or reformatory for women who have engaged in performing sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay

Word History

Etymology

Mary Magdalen or Magdalene woman healed by Jesus of evil spirits (Luke 8:2), considered identical with a reformed prostitute (Luke 7:36–50)

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Magdalene

• Mary Magdalene

Rhymes for Magdalene

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean