%gown%

n. One of a class of paupers or pensioners, or licensed beggars, in Scotland, to whim annually on the king's birthday were distributed certain alms, including a blue gown; a beadsman. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

n. A loose gown used for undress; also, a gown used for a sleeping garment. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Wearing a coarse gown or shaggy garment made of rug. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

A gown or frock with short sleeves, formerly worn by mariners. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to interactions between a college or university and the residents of the town in which the institution is located; as, a town and gown dispute. [ PJC ]

n. A gown worn under another, or under some other article of dress. [ 1913 Webster ]

An undergown and kirtle of pale sea-green silk. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ 1st pref. un- + gown. ] To strip of a gown; to unfrock. [ 1913 Webster ]