magdalene

plural magdalenes

1. alternativeAlternative form of Magdalene (“reformed prostitute”)

1. A female given name from Hebrew.

   1 more example

   October in Orania can be charming. When the sun sets, long ribbons of burnt orange settle on the horizon. The flies and mosquitoes that come with the oppressive summer heat haven’t arrived yet. It is Magdalene Kleynhans’ favourite time of year. “You can sit outside until late into the night,” says the businesswoman, whose family spend much of their time outdoors. Her children fish from the banks of the Orange River whenever they choose. Kleynhans leaves the house unlocked. “It’s a good life. It’s a big privilege.”

   2019 October 24, Dennis Webster, “'An indictment of South Africa': whites-only town Orania is booming”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 29 Mar 2022

2. Mary Magdalene, a disciple of Jesus.

   and the twelue were with him, And certaine women which had bene healed of euill spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene out of whom went seuen deuils

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 8:1-2

3. abbreviationellipsisinformalCambridge UniversityEllipsis of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

plural Magdalenes

1. A reformed prostitute.

   "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!

   1906 John Galsworthy, The Forsyte Saga: The Man of Property: Interlude