cowan

American  

[kau-uhn] / ˈkaʊ ən /

noun

cowans plural

1. a person who is not a member of the order of Freemasons but claims to be or seeks to discover or expose its secrets.

2. Scot.. a builder of dry stone walls, especially one who is not trained in the trade of masonry.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cowans
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cowans

J. D.—"To keep off all cowans and eavedroppers, and see that none pass and repass without permission from the chair."

From The Mysteries of Free Masonry Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge by Morgan, William

He answers, "To keep off all cowans and eave-droppers, see that none pass or repass without permission from the Master."

From The Mysteries of Free Masonry Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge by Morgan, William

A. The better to guard against cowans and enemies either ascending or descending, that the brethren might have timely notice of their approach, to prevent being surprised.

From The Mysteries of Free Masonry Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge by Morgan, William

J. D.—"To keep off all cowans and eavesdroppers, see that none pass or repass without permission from the Right Worshipful Master."

From The Mysteries of Free Masonry Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge by Morgan, William

For this purpose it was resolved to use different signs, words, and tokens, in every degree, by which they would be secured against cowans and Saracens.

From The Mysteries of Free Masonry Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge by Morgan, William