Cecil house

English

Etymology

Named after English journalist Cecil Chesterton (1879–1918).

Noun

Cecil house (plural Cecil houses)

1. (UK, historical) A shelter providing accommodation for homeless women.
   • 2018, Keith Gildart, David Howell, editors, Dictionary of Labour Biography: Volume XIV, Springer, →ISBN, page 279:

     Whately was an active supporter of the Cecil Houses in London, which provided overnight accommodation for homeless women, where they could obtain ‘a clean bed, with plenty of hot water for baths, tea and biscuits, for one shilling a night, with no questions asked’