Magdalene laundry

English

Etymology

Named after Mary Magdalene, traditionally associated with prostitution and patron saint of penitent sinners.

Noun

Magdalene laundry (plural Magdalene laundries)

1. (historical, chiefly Ireland) A religious facility in which prostitutes and unmarried mothers were kept, usually against their will, as a source of forced labour to launder clothes.

Synonyms

• Magdalene asylum

Hypernyms

• labour camp, workhouse