gown

Where does the word "gown" come from? It comes from Late Latin gunna, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Gown’s story begins in Late Latin: gunna meant “fur garment.” Possibly of Celtic origin; used for a fur or leather garment. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as goune. A long loose outer robe worn by both men and women. It reached English by 1300s as gown. Survives for both women's formal dresses and academic and legal robes. Today, gown means a long elegant dress; a robe worn by judges or academics.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient gunna "fur garment", possibly of Celtic origin; used for a fur or leather garment.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval goune "robe", a long loose outer robe worn by both men and women.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s gown "a long dress or robe", survives for both women's formal dresses and academic and legal robes.