gown

 
Pronunciation: /gaʊn/

noun

  • a long elegant dress worn on formal occasions: a silk ball gown
  • a dressing gown.
  • a protective garment worn in hospital, either by a staff member during surgery or by a patient.
  • a loose cloak indicating one’s profession or status, worn by a lawyer, teacher, academic, or university student.
  • [mass noun] the members of a university as distinct from the permanent residents of the university town. Often contrasted with town

verb

(be gowned)
  • be dressed in a gown: she was gowned in luminous silk
  • [no object] (gown up) put on a surgical gown: the lab is supposed to be sterile, so you have to gown up

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French goune, from late Latin gunna 'fur garment'; probably related to Byzantine Greek gouna 'fur, fur-lined garment'