See Also: workhouse(dictionary)
workhouse(dictionary)
WORKHOUSE(law)

workhouse (iou)



workhouse noun. LOE.
[from WORK noun + HOUSE noun1.]
1. Hist. A house, shop, or room in which work is regularly done; a workshop, a factory. LOE.
2. Hist. Orig., a house established to provide work for the unemployed poor of a parish. Later, an institution in which the destitute of a parish received board and lodging, usually in return for work done. M17.
Union Workhouse: see UNION noun2 5b.
3. A prison or house of correction for petty offenders. US. M17.
Comb.: workhouse sheeting strong twilled unbleached cotton material used for sheeting, curtains, etc.; workhouse test Hist. the test of good faith put to an applicant for poor relief by which he or she was obliged to consent to go to the workhouse if required.
workhoused adjective (rare) lodged in or habituated to a workhouse M19.