cowan
noun
a person who is not a member of the order of Freemasons but claims to be or seeks to discover or expose its secrets.
cowans
-
pluralof cowan.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Brother Truth: "Mighty Father, it is midnight among the profane, or cowans, but the sun is in its meridian in this Lodge."
From The Mysteries of Free Masonry Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge by William Morgan
The writer was informed when the charges were given him 'that our ancient brethren worshiped in high hills and in low vales, and that guards were placed to keep off cowans or eves-droppers.'
From The Revelation Explained by F. G. (Frederick George) Smith
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 William Morgan
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 William Morgan
Unfortunately, we still have cowans in this sense—men who try to be Masons without using the cement of brotherly love.
From The Builders A Story and Study of Masonry by Joseph Fort Newton
