Magdalene

From Ancient Greek Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnḗ, “woman from Magdala”), byname of the biblical Mary Magdalene, "Mary of Magdala", from Μαγδαλά (Magdalá), the name of a village on Lake Galilee (the name of which derives from Hebrew מגדל (migdál, “tower”)). Generic use comes from the traditional association of Mary Magdalene with the "woman which was a sinner" mentioned in Luke 7:37. Doublet of Madeleine, Magdalen, Magdalena, and Maudlin.

• IPA^(key): /ˈmæɡdəlin/
• (certain placenames in Oxford and Cambridge, varieties of fruit) IPA^(key): /ˈmɔːdlɪn/

Magdalene

1. A female given name from Hebrew.
2. Mary Magdalene, a disciple of Jesus.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 8:1-2:

     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

3. (Cambridge University, informal) Ellipsis of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Magdalene (plural Magdalenes)

1. A reformed prostitute.
   • 1906 John Galsworthy, The Forsyte Saga: The Man of Property: Interlude:

     "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!

Magdalene

1. a female given name of biblical origin

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Magdalene

1. a female given name, variant of Magdalena