[f. the adj. Cf. F., It., Sp., and Pg. uniforme, Du., G., Sw., and Da. uniform in sense 2.]
† I. 1. In uniform, in one body or flock. Obs.
1623. Lisle, Ælfric on O. & N. Test., Ded. p. ix. Our sheepe shall feare no Wolfe, or saddaine storme; But goe and come all safe in vniforme.
II. 2. A distinctive dress of uniform cut, materials, and color worn by all the members of a particular naval, military, or other force to which it is recognized as properly belonging and peculiar.
1748. in Jrnl. Archæol. Soc. (1847), ii. 79. That no commission officer or midshipmen do presume to wear any other uniform than what properly belongs to his rank.
1760. Cautions & Adv. to Officers of Army, 123. You are … to consider what is to be furnished out of this last Sum, and that is your Regimentals or Uniform.
1802. James, Milit. Dict., s.v., Scarlet is the national uniform of the British army. Ibid., Generally speaking each [corps] has an uniform within itself, yet this uniform, strictly considered, is a regimental.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., iv. Colonel Bulder, in full military uniform, on horseback.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., III. 363. Insisting that none shall fight who do not wear the uniform of one of the armies engaged.
fig. 1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 121. Passion so commonly marches under the colours and in the uniform of reason,… that [etc.].
b. A distinctive uniform dress worn by the members of any civilian body or association of persons.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., ii. The proposed uniform, sir, of the Pickwick Club.
1885. ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ At Bay, i. A good-looking boy in the polytechnique uniform.
1897. Hall Caine, Christian, X. The girls were nearly all nurses, and they wore their nurse’s uniform.
c. A single suit of this kind. † Also pl., the separate garments composing this.
1783. Ann. Reg., Chron., 193/2. Such flag officers, however, as were provided with the uniforms were permitted to wear the same.
1814. Scott, Wav., xvii. He had laid aside the Highland dress for the time, to put on an old blue and red uniform.
1834. Marryat, P. Simple, xxxviii. That is the reason why my uniforms are so shabby. I spoilt them then.
† 3. A person wearing a uniform. Obs.–1
1786. Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, Oct. I opened the eating-room door,… but saw to my surprise a party of uniforms.
4. attrib. a. In the sense ‘pertaining to, forming (part of) a uniform,’ as uniform case, clothes, coat.
In some instances not clearly distinguishable from the adj. Cf. UNIFORM a. 2 c.
1807. P. Gass, Jrnl., 188. We got a canoe from the natives, for which we gave an officer’s uniform coat.
1825. in J. A. Heraud, Voy. Midshipm. (1837), x. 179. Buy your … uniform clothes (two jackets and one coat) in London.
1852. Thackeray, Esmond, II. xiii. An officer in a green uniform coat.
1889. Hissey, Tour in Phaeton, 399. We pack our personal belongings in tin uniform cases.
b. In the sense ‘wearing uniform; uniformed.’
1895. Westm. Gaz., 1 Jan., 4/3. Several uniform policemen watched the prosecutor and prisoners.
