Definition

Noun: 1. A reformed prostitute: A woman who was formerly a prostitute and has since abandoned that life, often through religious conversion or rehabilitation. Historically, this term is strongly associated with Mary Magdalene from the New Testament, who was traditionally (though not biblically) characterized as a repentant sinner. 2. A home or asylum for reformed prostitutes: An institution established to shelter and reform women who have worked as prostitutes.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to a person):
  • The charity was founded to help magdalens rebuild their lives.
  • She was known in the town as a magdalen, having left her old ways behind.
• Noun (referring to an institution):
  • The old magdalen on the hill was converted into a museum.
  • Many 19th-century magdalens were run by religious orders.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Capitalized Usage: When referring specifically to Mary Magdalene or institutions named in her honor, the word is often capitalized as Magdalen.
  • She found refuge at the Magdalen Hospital.
• Figurative Use: The term can be used figuratively to describe any woman who has undergone a profound moral reform or redemption.
  • In the novel, the protagonist emerges as a magdalen figure, seeking forgiveness for her past.

Variants and Related Words

• Magdalene: An alternative spelling, especially when referring to Mary Magdalene or institutions (e.g., Magdalen College, Oxford).
• Penitent: (noun) A person who repents their sins; a more general term that can apply to a magdalen.
• Reformatory: (noun) An institution for the reform of offenders, which can include homes for magdalens.

Synonyms

• Penitent: A person who repents.
• Reformed woman: A general descriptive phrase.
• Convert: In a religious context, one who has changed their beliefs and behavior.

Notes on Meaning

• The term is archaic and carries strong historical and religious connotations. In modern contexts, it is rarely used due to its judgmental and outdated nature. Contemporary language favors more neutral terms like "survivor of sexual exploitation" or simply descriptive phrases when referring to someone who has left sex work.
• Its primary historical use was in the 18th and 19th centuries, often in the names of charitable asylums (Magdalen asylums or Magdalene Laundries).

Noun

1. a reformed prostitute