Workhouse

An institution where destitute people received accommodation and support under a restrictive regime involving work and discipline.

An institution providing accommodation and relief for destitute people, under conditions intended to discourage dependence on poor relief.

An institution providing food and shelter to people in poverty in return for work, under deliberately harsh rules. Families were separated within it.

An institution where poor people received food and shelter in return for work, under deliberately harsh conditions intended to discourage applications for help.

An institution where poor people received accommodation and basic support in return for work. Under the 1834 Poor Law, conditions were deliberately harsh to discourage applications for relief, and families were separated.

An institution providing accommodation, food and work for destitute people. Under the New Poor Law system, harsh conditions and family separation were intended to discourage applications for relief.

An institution providing accommodation and relief for destitute people, with work and strict discipline. Under the New Poor Law, harsh conditions were intended to discourage applications for relief.

An institution in which poor people received basic support under restrictive conditions, linked in the novel to Scrooge’s belief that institutional provision removes his personal responsibility to help.