n. [ OE. goune, prob. from W. gwn gown, loose robe, akin to Ir. gunn, Gael. gùn; cf. OF. gone, prob. of the same origin. ] 1. A loose, flowing upper garment; especially: (a) The ordinary outer dress of a woman, especially one that is full-length/ex>. (b) The official robe of certain professional men and scholars, as university students and officers, barristers, judges, etc.; hence, the dress of peace; the dress of civil officers, in distinction from military. [ 1913 Webster ]

He Mars deposed, and arms to gowns made yield. Dryden.

(c) A loose wrapper worn by gentlemen within doors; a dressing gown. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any sort of dress or garb. [ 1913 Webster ]

He comes . . . in the gown of humility. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An evening gown. [ PJC ]

4. The students and faculty of a college and university, as opposed to the local inhabitants not connected to the university; -- used often in the phrase “town and gown”, referring to interactions between the university and the local townspeople; as, a town and gown dispute. [ PJC ]

p. a. Dressed in a gown; clad. [ 1913 Webster ]

Gowned in pure white, that fitted to the shape. Tennyson.

/mhw>, n.; pl. -men One whose professional habit is a gown, as a divine or lawyer, and particularly a member of an English university; hence, a civilian, in distinction from a soldier. [ 1913 Webster ]