n.
Pronunciation: ' mag-d ə -l ə n
Variant: or mag · da · lene \ - ˌ l ē n \
Function: noun
Usage: often cap
Etymology: Mary Magdalen or Magdalene woman healed by Jesus of evil spirits (Lk 8:2), considered identical with a reformed prostitute (Lk 7:36-50)
Date: 1697
1 : a reformed prostitute
2 : a house of refuge or reformatory for prostitutes