Reference: Magdalene

a surname derived from Magdala, the place of her nativity, given to one of the Marys of the Gospels to distinguish her from the other Marys (Mt 27:56,61; 28:1, etc.). A mistaken notion has prevailed that this Mary was a woman of bad character, that she was the woman who is emphatically called "a sinner" (Lu 7:36-50). (See Mary.)

Mag'dalene

Designation of a woman named Mary, 'out of whom went seven demons,' to signify that she was a native of Magdala. There is nothing in the name, nor in the character of Mary, to associate her with the modern signification of the word Magdalen. See MARY.