begowned

English

Alternative forms

• be-gowned

Etymology 1

Verb

begowned

1. simple past and past participle of begown

Etymology 2

From be- +‎ gown +‎ -ed.

Adjective

begowned (not comparable)

1. Wearing a gown.

   Synonym: gowned

   • 1821, “Jonathan Kentucky’s Journal”, in The New Monthly Magazine‎^[1], volume 2, pages 107–108:

     […] with the exception of the Speaker, who is handsomely arrayed in a black gown and long wig, and three attendant clerks, who are also begowned and bewigged, the house exhibits nothing more than some ranges of green benches, sparingly occupied with a few straggling members, lounging about in the most unceremonious postures, some with coloured cravats, others with dirty boots, and almost all […] with their hats on.

   • 1918, Ordway Tead, chapter 3, in Instincts in Industry: A Study of Working-Class Psychology‎^[2], Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, pages 36–37:

     These girls, chosen for their good figures and attractive appearance, walk about in front of the buyer begowned in the latest models, and their method of presentation may make or mar a sale.

   • 1988, Alan Hollinghurst, chapter 3, in The Swimming-Pool Library, paperback edition, London: Penguin Books, →ISBN, page 60:

     It was Oxford now—the matriculation photograph, posed in the stony front quad at Corpus, the pelican on top of the sundial appearing to sit on the head of the lanky, begowned chemist at the centre of the back row.