Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
noun
An institution for homeless poor people funded by the local parish, where the able-bodied were required to work.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, historical
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: bastille, poorhouse
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A prison in which the sentence includes manual labour.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A place of manufacture; a factory.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To place (a person) in the workhouse (institution for the poor).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, historical, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a county jail that holds prisoners for periods up to 18 months
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: jail, jailhouse, gaol, clink, slammer, poky, pokey
noun
a poorhouse where able-bodied poor are compelled to labor
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: poorhouse
History
From Middle English werkhous, from Old English weorchūs (“workshop, place of manufacture”), from Proto-Germanic *werkahūsą, equivalent to work + house.
Across languages
5 source translations are retained for this English entry.
