1. A loose woman; a wanton: see TART. [NARES: a blue-gown was the dress of ignominy for a harlot in the house of correction].
1578. WHETSTONE, Promos and Cassandra, iii. 6.
Lamia. Teare not my clothes, my friends, they cost more than you are aware. | |
Bedell. Tush, soon you shall have a BLEW GOWN; for these take you no care. |
1609. DEKKER, The Honest Whore [DODSLEY], Old Plays (REED), iii. 464. Your puritanical Honest Whore sits in a BLUE GOWN. Where? Do you know the brick house of castigation?
2. (old).A beggar: especially a licensed beggar who wore the dress as a badge.