n.; pl. Workhouses [ AS. weorchūs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
1. A house where any manufacture is carried on; a workshop. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. A house in which idle and vicious persons are confined to labor. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. A house where the town poor are maintained at public expense, and provided with labor; a poorhouse. [ 1913 Webster ]