ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English werkhous, from Old English weorchūs, from weorc work + hūs house
1. obsolete : workshop , factory
2. Britain : a house in which able-bodied poor are maintained at public expense and compelled to labor
3. : a house of correction in which minor offenders are confined and put to work