gown

English

Etymology

From Middle English gowne, from Anglo-Norman gune, goune (“fur-trimmed coat, pelisse”), from Old French goune, from Late Latin gunna (“leather garment, a fur”), from Ancient Greek γούνα (goúna, “coarse garment”), of unknown origin. Perhaps from a Balkan or Apennine language. Alternatively, perhaps from Scythian, from Proto-Iranian *gawnám (“fur”) (compare Younger Avestan 𐬔𐬀𐬊𐬥𐬀 (gaona, “body hair”) and Ossetian гъун (ǧun)).(Can this⁽⁺⁾ etymology be sourced?).

Pronunciation

• enPR: goun, IPA^(key): /ɡaʊn/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aʊn

Noun

gown (plural gowns)

1. A loose, flowing upper garment.
3. A woman's ordinary outer dress, such as a calico or silk gown.
4. The official robe of certain professionals, clerics, and scholars, such as university students and officers, barristers, judges, etc.
   • 1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw , Act I:

     VVhat is he an honeſt man? the deuill he is, he is the Parſon of the Towne,
     You thinke ther’s no knauerie hid vnder a black gowne, […]

   1. The dress of civil officers, as opposed to military officers.
5. (by metonymy) The university community, especially as contrasted with the local populace.

   In the perennial town versus gown battles, townies win some violent battles, but the collegians are winning the war.

6. A loose wrapper worn by gentlemen within doors; a dressing gown.
7. Any sort of dress or garb.
8. The robe worn by a surgeon.

Derived terms

Descendants

Translations

Verb

gown (third-person singular simple present gowns, present participle gowning, simple past and past participle gowned)

1. To dress in a gown, to don or garb with a gown.

References

Anagrams

• Wong, wong

Middle English

Noun

gown

1. Alternative form of gowne