Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GOWN, n. [W. gwn; Ir. gunna; It. gonna. This is probably the καυνακη of Hesychins, and the guanacum of Varro; a garment somewhat like the sagum or sack, said to be of Persian origin, and among rude nations perhaps made of skins, (W. cènysgin,) and afterward of wool; a kind of shag or frieze. Ch. גונכא, mentioned Judges iv. 18, and 2 Kings viii. 15. See Varro de Ling. Lat. lib. 4. Bochart. de Phoen. Col. lib. 1. cap. 42, and Cluv. Ant. Germ. lib. 1.]

1. A woman's upper garment. Pope.
2. A long loose upper garment or robe, worn by professional men, as divines, lawyers, students, &c., who are called men of the gown or gownmen. It is made of any kind of cloth worn over ordinary clothes, and hangs down to the ankles or nearly so. Encyc.
3. A long loose upper garment, worn in sickness, &c.
4. The dress of peace, or the civil magistracy; cedant arma togae. He Mars deposed, and arms to gowns made yield. Dryden.