I. ˈgau̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English goun, from Middle French gone, goune, from Late Latin gunna, a fur or leather garment
1. : an outer garment:
a. archaic : a usually loose and flowing outer garment worn by men
the men wore gowns in the middle ages — F.W.Fairholt
b. : the official or distinctive robe worn by men and women in certain professions (as law, education, the church, and medicine) ; especially : a long loose usually black garment worn by students, graduates, and officers of colleges and universities and varying in material, cut, and trimming with the academic degree of the wearer
one of the barristers … hitched his gown up on his shoulder — F.W.Crofts
the medieval context surviving in these gowns and hoods — A.W.Griswold
— see academic costume , geneva gown
c. : a loose garment draped in soft folds worn by the ancients (as the Roman toga) : the dress of peace
he Mars deposed and arms to gowns made yield — John Dryden
d. : a woman's dress ; especially : one suitable for afternoon or evening wear
her faded calico gown — Hamlin Garland
the bride's … gown and veil — Mademoiselle
e. : a loose informal garment especially for lounging or resting (as a nightgown or a dressing gown)
at first the baby will wear a gown both day and night
f. : the cotton coverall worn by a surgeon in the operating room
dressed in hospital gowns and masks — Grace Reiten
2.
a. : the office or profession indicated by the wearing of distinctive robes
men of the gown and men of the sword
b. : the students and faculty of a college or university considered as a group distinct from the nonacademic world
powerful rivalry in … society between town and gown — Robertson Davies
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English gounen, from goun, n.
: to dress in or invest with a gown
to gown herself in the latest Paris fashions — Margaret W. Hungerford
capped and gowned dignitaries in the commencement procession