subs. (Winchester College).—1. Coarse brown paper (obsolete).
2. (university).—The schools as distinguished from the TOWN (q.v.), e.g., TOWN and GOWN.
1847. THACKERAY, Punch’s Prize Novelists, ‘Codlingsby,’ p. 232. From the Addenbrooke’s hospital to the Blenheim turnpike, all Cambridge was in an uproar—the College gates closed—the shops barricaded—the shop-boys away in support of their brother townsmen—the battle raged, and the GOWN had the worst of the fight.
1853. REV. E. BRADLEY (‘Cuthbert Bede’), The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman, II., ch. iii. When GOWN was absent, Town was miserable.
1891. Pall Mall Gazette, 30 May, p. 4, c. 3. Town and GOWN joined in harmony.
