Magdalene

English

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.

(Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /ˈmæɡdəlin/
Audio (Southern England): (file)
- (Upper Midwestern US, Northwestern US, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪ̯ɡdəlin/
IPA^(key): /ˈmɔːdlɪn/ (certain placenames in Oxford and Cambridge, varieties of fruit)
Hyphenation: Mag‧de‧lin

Magdalene

A female given name from Hebrew.
- 2019 October 24, Dennis Webster, “'An indictment of South Africa': whites-only town Orania is booming”, in The Guardian‎^[1], archived from the original on 29 March 2022:
  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.”
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
(Cambridge University, informal) Ellipsis of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

female given name

biblical character — see Mary Magdalene

Magdalene (plural Magdalenes)

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

Magdalene