WORKHOUSES Meaning and
Definition
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Workhouses were institutions that existed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, typically established by governments or charitable organizations, intended to provide shelter, food, and work for poverty-stricken individuals. The term "workhouse" originated in the United Kingdom, where these institutions were most prevalent during the Victorian era.
At the core of workhouses was the concept of "less eligibility," meaning that the conditions inside a workhouse should be deliberately harsher than the lowest standard of living possible for those living outside. The aim of this approach was to discourage dependency on public assistance and to ensure that only the truly destitute sought relief there.
Workhouses implemented a strict regime where inmates were assigned various tasks, known as "work," which often involved grueling physical labor like breaking stones, grinding grain, or making clothing. The hours were long, and the work was monotonous, ensuring that the economic output of the institution exceeded the cost of providing relief.
The conditions within workhouses were harsh and Spartan, with meager food, minimalist lodging, and strict discipline. Men, women, and children were often segregated, and families were typically separated from each other. These conditions were intended to further discourage individuals from seeking relief, instead urging them to seek employment outside the workhouse walls.
While workhouses were intended to provide relief to the poor, they also carried a stigma of shame and were often seen as inhumane by critics. The harsh conditions, labor-intensive tasks, and the loss of personal freedom within workhouses remain a significant part of history, highlighting the social and economic challenges faced by the impoverished in past eras.
Common Misspellings for WORKHOUSES
Etymology of WORKHOUSES
The word "workhouse" originated from the combination of two words: "work" and "house".
The term "work" stems from the Old English word "weorc", which means "action, proceeding, business, or product of labor". It evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "werkan" and has related forms in several other Germanic languages, such as the Dutch "werk" and the German "werk".
The word "house" is derived from the Old English word "hūs", which referred to a building used as a dwelling place. It also has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as the Dutch "huis" and the German "Haus".
In combination, "work" and "house" create the word "workhouse", which historically referred to institutions or establishments where people were compelled to perform labor as a form of punishment or to support themselves.
Similar spelling words for WORKHOUSES
- araxos,
- orixas,
- arcuses,
- Orgosis,
- orcheses,
- Ereuxis,
- araxes,
- arkoses,
- ERGSESU,
- IRGCIS,
- Ericaceous,
- orchesis,
- Orexis,
- aurochses,
- uricases,
- arccoses,
- Argosies,
- earwaxes,
- urachuses,
- arguses,
- oryxes.
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