Definition

A term used to describe a woman who has repented for her past life, often associated with reformed prostitutes, or a place that serves as a refuge or reformatory for such women.

Example

The charity opened a magdalen to help women start anew after leaving their past behind.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new magdalen center opening downtown?

Yeah, I read about it; it sounds like a great initiative.

I think it's important to provide support for those women.

Absolutely, everyone deserves a chance to start fresh.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Magdalen originates from the Latin 'Magdalena', which is derived from the Hebrew 'Migdāl' (meaning tower). The name is often associated with Mary Magdalene, a biblical figure from the New Testament, who is referred to as Mary of Magdala, indicating her origin from the town of Magdala, which means 'tower' in Hebrew. Thus, the name Magdalen signifies a person from the tower or a tower-like figure.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'tower' in Hebrew ('Migdāl') to remember that Magdalen refers to someone from a place associated with a tower.

Visually Confused Words