WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Gown
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. goune, prob. from W. gwn gown, loose robe, akin to Ir. gunn, Gael. g?n; cf. OF. gone, prob. of the same origin.]
Definition : 1. A loose, flowing upper garment; especially: (a) The ordinary outer dress of a woman; as, a calico or silk gown. (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. He Mars deposed, and arms to gowns made yield. Dryden.

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

2. Any sort of dress or garb. He comes . . . in the gown of humility. Shak.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913