View source for Magdalen - Magdalene

The [[saint]] called Mary, the friend of Jesus in the [[New Testament]], is distinguished from other [[Saint Mary]]s by the name of her home town, '''Magdala''' (in Galilee): St Mary '''Magdalene''', sometimes known simply as '''the Magdalen'''. 
**(The word '''M(/m)agdalen(e)''' can be seen written with or without a terminal '-e', '''Magdalen''' or '''Magdalene'''.  The 2nd edition of [[OED]] gives it as '''Magdalen(e)''', though the 3rd (on-line) edition seems to have settled on a preference for '''Magdalen''', without the final silent '-e'. AWE's advice is to decide on one (the one with which you feel most comfortable), and then use it '''consistently'''.) There is an [[etymology|etymological]] clue in the original Greek Μαγδαληνη ('magdalēnē'), which shows that both '-e-'s were originally [[long vowel]]s, and perhaps should be written in English. But word-formation pays little attention to such niceties.
**In view of the history (or legend) of St Mary Magdalen(e), the word '''magdalen''' was used for many years as a [[common noun]] meaning 'reformed prostitute'. This [[noun]] can be written with or without the final  '-e'.
***In the 18th and 19th centuries, a common form of moral philanthropy was to provide hostels designed to take 'fallen women' (or sex workers) 'off the streets' (or away from their trade). Their trade was held in horror, and moral opprobrium: these hostels were known as '''magdalen houses''', '''magdalen hospitals'''  or .'''magdalen charities''', colloquially shortened to '''magdalens'''.
*In [[British English]], both spellings are pronounced the same: usually as 'MAG-der-lin', with the stress on the first [[syllable]], which rhymes with 'bag', {{{{IPA|ˈmæg də<sup>r</sup> lɪn ''or'' -lən}}}}; some speakers emphasize the final syllable, 'mag-der-LEEN' ({{IPA|mæg də<sup>r</sup> ˈliːn }}), but this may be frowned on in some academic circles. It is NOT a phonetic representation of the second spelling. 
**In the past, there was a different pronunciation, 'MAUD-lin', {{{{IPA|ˈmɔːd lɪn ''or'' -lən}}).  This eventually became a separate word, maudlin, which has no religious meaning nowadays.  It is an adjective meaning 'characterized by tearful sentimentality' ([[OED]]).  It has come to mean this because [[Saint Mary Magdalene]] was believed to have been a repentant prostitute, and is often shown in pictures as weeping.  Maudlin was first a pronunciation of her name, then used to mean 'tearful', and finally merely sentimental.  (The stage of maudlin drunken-ness is that in which the drinker weeps.) 

There are two [[college]]s called '''magdalen[e]''', one (with no terminal '-e') at [[Oxford University]], the other at Cambridge. Both are pronounced like 'maudlin'. The spelling distinction is jealously preserved. See also: [[Magdalen - Magdalene College]].

::'''[[Madeleine - Madeline|Madeline]]''' or '''Madeleine''' (the French form) are current female [[forename]]s derived from Magdalen(e), along with Madelaine, Madelene, Madeline, Mad(e)lyn, Madalene, Madaline, Madoline, their [[petname]]s Maddie and Maddy and a German version Magda.

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[[Category:Culture]]
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[[Category:Academic culture]]
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