Magdalene laundry

== English == === Etymology === Named after Mary Magdalene, traditionally associated with prostitution and a patron saint of penitent sinners. === Noun === Magdalene laundry (plural Magdalene laundries) (historical, chiefly Ireland) A religious facility in which prostitutes and unmarried mothers were kept, usually against their will, as a source of forced labour to launder clothes. Synonym: Magdalene asylum Hypernyms: labour camp, workhouse ==== Further reading ==== Magdalene laundry on Wikipedia.Wikipedia