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gown definition

gown (go̵un)

noun

  1. a long, loose outer garment; specif.,
    1. dressing gown
    2. a nightgown, nightshirt, etc.
    3. a cotton smock worn by a surgeon
    4. a flowing robe worn as a symbol of office or status by certain officials, members of the clergy, scholars, etc.
  2. a woman's long dress, esp. one that is elegant or formal
  3. the members of a college or university as distinct from the other residents of the community conflicts between town and gown

Etymology: ME goune < OFr < LL gunna, loose robe, orig., fur cloak

transitive verb

to dress in a gown, as in an academic or ecclesiastic robe

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms gown idiom

medical gown definition - medical

gown Synonyms

gown

n.

dress, frock, evening gown, garment, vestment; see also clothes, dress 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

gown Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • dress: She just sat in her dressing gown by her bedroom fire, with her head sunk in her hands.

Preposition: for

  • shape: Wedding dresses in the latest fashions, once used and second hand Wedding gowns for all shapes, sizes, tastes and pockets.

Adjective modifier

  • bridal: Brides may wear anything from a full bridal gown to a simple dress or suit.

Preposition: with

  • sleeve: It is a loose ankle length gown with large puffy sleeves, designed to be worn without a cincture.

Noun used with modifier

  • wedding: Shopping for wedding gowns online has never been easier!
gown usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

gown quotes

Whereas my birth and spirit rather took The way that takes the town; Thou didst betray me to a lingering book, And wrap me in a gown.

-Herbert, George

  It cannot reasonably be doubted, but a little miss, dressed in a new gown for a dancing-school ball, receives as complete enjoyment as the greatest orator, who triumphs in the splendour of his eloquence, while he governs the passions and resolutions of a numerous assembly.

-Humboldt, Alexander, Baron von

And may at last my weary age Find out the peaceful hermitage, The hairy gown and mossy cell, Where I may sit and rightly spell Of every star that heaven doth shew, And every herb that sips the dew, Till old experience to attain To something like prophetic strain.

-Milton,John

gown quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"gown." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/gown>

APA Style

gown. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/gown

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