gown
- a woman's dress or robe, especially one that is full-length.
- nightgown.
- dressing gown.
- evening gown.
- a loose, flowing outer garment in any of various forms, worn by a man or woman as distinctive of office, profession, or status: an academic gown.
- the student and teaching body in a university or college town.
- to dress in a gown.
Origin of gown
Synonyms
See more synonyms for gown on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
Examples from the Web for gown
Contemporary Examples
He proceeded to personally change her gown and placed her in a wheelchair for the move.
While caring for patients, clinical staff is heavily robed with gown and apron; three pairs of gloves; a hood; and goggles.
She liked that they had Australian connections and has apparently given them specific instructions for a gown.
Vogue Italia's Domestic Violence-Inspired Editorial; Kate Middleton Commissions Ralph & Russo Gown For Australia TourThe Fashion Beast Team
April 3, 2014
Halle Berry won the same award in 2002 for Monster's Ball when she dazzled in a semi-sheer, maroon Elie Saab gown.
But, all it took was a couple of drinks before the Inside Llewyn Davis star began ripping her gown apart.
Burberry Responds to Toxic Chemical Allegations; Carey Mulligan Jokes About Destroying Oscar DressThe Fashion Beast Team
January 24, 2014
Historical Examples
See to my gown, the third that I have befouled within the week.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
"Stay though, my friend, it was his gown," objected Alleyne.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
A combination of crocuses and snow on the ground had given her an inspiration for a gown.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
There might have been a night gown in it, and there might not.
Samantha Among the Brethren, Part 4.Josiah Allen's Wife (Marietta Holley)
The soft white folds of her woman's gown fell loosely about her.
Opera Stories from WagnerFlorence Akin
gown
- any of various outer garments, such as a woman's elegant or formal dress, a dressing robe, or a protective garment, esp one worn by surgeons during operations
- a loose wide garment indicating status, such as worn by academics
- the members of a university as opposed to the other residents of the university townCompare town (def. 7)
- (tr) to supply with or dress in a gown
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for gown
n.
c.1300, from Old French goune "robe, coat, habit, gown," from Late Latin gunna "leather garment, skin, hide," of unknown origin. Used by St. Boniface (8c.) for a fur garment permitted for old or infirm monks. Klein writes it is probably "a word adopted from a language of the Apennine or the Balkan Peninsula." OED points to Byzantine Greek gouna, a word for a coarse garment sometimes made of skins, but also notes "some scholars regard [Late Latin gunna] as of Celtic origin."
In 18c., gown was the common word for what is now usually styled a dress. It was maintained more in the U.S. than in Britain, but was somewhat revived 20c. in fashion senses and in comb. forms (e.g. bridal gown, nightgown). Meaning "flowing robe worn as a badge of office or authority" is from late 14c., on image of the Roman toga. As collective singular for "residents of a university" (1650s) it usually now is opposed to town.
gown
(goun)- A robe or smock worn in operating rooms and other parts of hospitals as a guard against contamination.
Idioms and Phrases with gown
gown
see cap and gown; town and gown.