magdalen
Britishnoun
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literary a reformed prostitute
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rare a reformatory for prostitutes
Etymology
Origin of magdalen
from Mary Magdalene
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Or else let scientific atheism produce its reformed magdalens, and its homes for the hopelessly diseased and imbecile, and all “the weakest” who go, as she tenderly assures us, “to the wall.”
From Project Gutenberg
The heads of her madonnas and magdalens are charming, and, indeed, all her work speaks of the innate refinement of her nature.
From Project Gutenberg
And bitter tears mingled with the salt brine flashing by—the tears of a repentent magdalen.
From Project Gutenberg
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.