Magdalene

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnḗ, woman from Magdala), byname of the biblical Mary Magdalene, "Mary of Magdala", from Μαγδαλά (Magdalá), the name of a village on Lake Galilee (the name of which derives from Hebrew מגדל (migdál, tower)). Generic use comes from the traditional association of Mary Magdalene with the "woman which was a sinner" mentioned in Luke 7:37.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmæɡdəlin/
  • (placenames in Oxford and Cambridge, varieties of fruit) IPA(key): /ˈmɔːdlɪn/

Proper noun

Magdalene

  1. A female given name
  2. Mary Magdalene, a disciple of Jesus.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

Magdalene (plural Magdalenes)

  1. A reformed prostitute.
    • 1906 John Galsworthy, The Forsyte Saga: The Man of Property: Interlude:
      "Trying to help women who've come to grief." Old Jolyon didn't quite understand. "To grief?" he repeated; then realised with a shock that she meant exactly what he would have meant himself if he had used that expression. Assisting the Magdalenes of London!

Danish

Proper noun

Magdalene

  1. A female given name of biblical origin.

German

Proper noun

Magdalene

  1. A female given name, a variant of Magdalena.
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